Newport in Wakulla County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Site of the Former Town of Magnolia
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, February 9, 2022
1. Site of the Former Town of Magnolia Marker
Inscription.
Site of the Former Town of Magnolia. . Two miles north of this site was located the town of Magnolia, founded in 1827 by the four Hamlin brothers of Augusta, Maine. The Hamlin family had been attracted to the new territory of Florida by the availability of land. The Hamlins chose a site on the St. Marks River which had potential for development into a port town. Because of the lack of overland routes to the north, coastal outlets were particularly important to the settlers and planters of Middle Florida. Magnolia quickly developed into a small but busy port, and in 1829, a U.S. customs house was established there. In the early 1830's, the town had a number of stores and warehouses as well as a bank. Increasing cotton production contributed to Magnolia's commercial growth, but soon the climate and navigational difficulties on the river presented problems for the community. Competition came from the nearby town of St. Marks, and in the mid-1830's the customs house was transferred there. Litigation over land claims in the area also contributed to the decline of the community. Bypassed in 1836 by the new railroad from Tallahassee to St. Marks, Magnolia was gradually abandoned. Today nothing remains of the town except a small cemetery.
Two miles north of this site was located the town of Magnolia, founded in 1827 by the four Hamlin brothers of Augusta, Maine. The Hamlin family had been attracted to the new territory of Florida by the availability of land. The Hamlins chose a site on the St. Marks River which had potential for development into a port town. Because of the lack of overland routes to the north, coastal outlets were particularly important to the settlers and planters of Middle Florida. Magnolia quickly developed into a small but busy port, and in 1829, a U.S. customs house was established there. In the early 1830's, the town had a number of stores and warehouses as well as a bank. Increasing cotton production contributed to Magnolia's commercial growth, but soon the climate and navigational difficulties on the river presented problems for the community. Competition came from the nearby town of St. Marks, and in the mid-1830's the customs house was transferred there. Litigation over land claims in the area also contributed to the decline of the community. Bypassed in 1836 by the new railroad from Tallahassee to St. Marks, Magnolia was gradually abandoned. Today nothing remains of the town except a small cemetery.
Erected 1975 by Wakulla County Bicentennial Committee in cooperation with Department of State. (Marker
Location. 30° 11.948′ N, 84° 10.53′ W. Marker is in Newport, Florida, in Wakulla County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 98 and Lighthouse Road (County Route 59), on the right when traveling west on U.S. 98. Marker is in the small Newport Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Crawfordville FL 32327, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Magnolia, FL. (Submitted on February 19, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, February 9, 2022
2. Site of the Former Town of Magnolia Marker looking south toward US 98
Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,366 times since then and 135 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 20, 2022, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
