Capitol Hill in Tallahassee in Leon County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Choosing the Capital
Cascades Park
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, November 13, 2022
1. Choosing the Capital Marker
In 1827 when Florida became a U.S. territory, the ports of Pensacola in the west and St. Augustine in the east were its largest towns. The hardships of travel between them led to the decision to select a halfway point for the capital.
Florida's progression from territory to statehood represents the early stirrings of the nation's "manifest destiny." A flood of American settlers from Georgia and the Carolines created pressure for Spain to cede Florida to the United States in 1819. As Thomas Jefferson wrote, the immigration to Florida was the "means of delivering to us peaceably what must otherwise cost us a war.
In 1823, commissioners explored what was then the middle of Florida and recommended a high, healthy and well watered site for the new capital. The territorial council adopted the name Tallahassee, a Seminole word meaning "old town'" to pay homage to the rich Apalachee Indian history within the region.
As the population of south Florida grew, Florida voters and the legislature defeated repeated attempts to move the capital to a location more central to modern day Florida, The debate ended in 1971 with
this page online
(Captions)
Map of Florida territory. State Archives of Florida
The 1826 Capitol replaced a log cabin. In1845, the state moved into a new building that It expanded over the years. In 1978, the present 22-story Capitol opened. The previous Capitol, restored to its 1902 appearance, is a museum. State Archives of Florida
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1827.
Location. 30° 26.193′ N, 84° 16.619′ W. Marker is in Tallahassee, Florida, in Leon County. It is in Capitol Hill. It is at the intersection of South Meridian Street and East Madison Street, on the left when traveling south on South Meridian Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tallahassee FL 32301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Florida. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere,
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, November 13, 2022
2. Choosing the Capital Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Arrival of Europeans (a few steps from this marker); Frontier Tallahassee (a few steps from this marker); Civil War Years (a few steps from this marker); The First Residents (within shouting distance of this marker); Reconstruction: Changing Times (within shouting distance of this marker); Entering the 20th Century (within shouting distance of this marker); The World War II Years (within shouting distance of this marker); Higher Education (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tallahassee.
Also see . . .
1. The Capitol. My Florida website entry (Submitted on November 30, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Cascades Park. City of Tallahassee website entry (Submitted on November 30, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 176 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 30, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
