Gulf Breeze in Santa Rosa County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

First Federal Tree Farm

Gulf Islands National Seashore

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

First Federal Tree Farm Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, May 9, 2018

1. First Federal Tree Farm Marker

Inscription. From small acorns come massive live oak trees-and mighty ships. The live oak's dense, rot-resistant wood and large arching branches were ideal for building ships in the 1700s and 1800s. Over 2,000 live oaks might be used to build one hull. To provide wood for naval ships, President John Quincy Adams designated the first federal tree farm here in 1828. A resident, Henry M. Brackenridge, was hired to cultivate the trees. He initiated several experiments, but Adams' successor, Andrew Jackson, closed the reservation in a political squabble.

The live oak...is one of the most magnificent and delightful shade trees in the world... Henry M. Brackenridge

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #06 John Quincy Adams, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #07 Andrew Jackson series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1828.

Location. 30° 21.845′ N, 87° 7.844′ W. Marker is in Gulf Breeze, Florida, in Santa Rosa County. Marker can be reached from Gulf Breeze Parkway (U.S. 98) 2.4 miles east of Pensacola Beach Boulevard (County Road

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399). Marker is on the wall by the entrance door of the Naval Live Oaks Park Headquarters and Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze FL 32561, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Live Oaks and Naval Ship Timbers (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Pensacola - St. Augustine Road (approx. 2.4 miles away); First Religious Service in Pensacola (approx. 2.9 miles away); Emanuel Point Shipwrecks / Los Naufragios de Emanuel Point (approx. 5.2 miles away); Frascati (approx. 5.4 miles away); Maritime Prehistory (approx. 5.4 miles away); Spanish Exploration and Discovery (approx. 5½ miles away); Purple Heart Memorial (approx. 5½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gulf Breeze.

Also see . . . Naval Live Oaks Reservation. (Submitted on July 20, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)

Visitor Center Entrance. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Visit Pensacola, circa July 20, 2016

2. Visitor Center Entrance.

Marker is on the wall to the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 20, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.