Havana in Gadsden County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Town of Havana

Incorporated December 5, 1906

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 22, 2024

1. Town of Havana Marker

Inscription.
This site was the home of Sam Z. Fletcher. It was his surrounding land on which the town was established after the Georgia-Florida railroad was laid from Cuthbert, Georgia, to Tallahassee, Florida, bypassing by a mile the community of Salem.

Town construction began in 1904 and growth became rampant with several families moving to town and opening businesses.

The name “Havana” was chosen in honor of the “Little Cubie” shade tobacco grown so profitably in the area.

Erected 2006 by Havana Garden Club.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is December 5, 1906.

Location. 30° 37.52′ N, 84° 24.955′ W. Marker is in Havana, Florida, in Gadsden County. It is on 1st Street Northwest just south of 7th Avenue West, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 1st Street Northwest, Havana FL 32333, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Tallahassee

and on the Florida Panhandle.

It is also in the American

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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,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Planters Exchange (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Spanish Trail (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); POW★MIA (approx. ¼ mile away); The Price of Freedom Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Purple Heart (approx. 0.3 miles away); Havana High School Site (approx. 0.3 miles away); Vickers Cemetery (approx. 2½ miles away); Dr. Malcolm Nicholson Home (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Havana.

Also see . . . Havana, Florida (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: The cultivation of shade tobacco began in Gadsden County, Florida around 1829. In 1902, following the completion of the Georgia,
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 22, 2024

2. Town of Havana Marker
Looking northwest from 1st Street Northwest. There is a parking lot at this site today, and the marker overlooks an adjacent Victorian house to the north that has been repurposed as a retail store.
Florida and Alabama Railroad, many settlers moved a mile east to the present site of Havana. A local teacher, James Mathewson, proposed the name "Havana". He believed the hand-rolled cigars made in this region of Florida were comparable to those from Havana, Cuba. On December 5, 1906, the Town of Havana was officially incorporated. The railway town was important to the export of farming and tobacco.

(Submitted on September 30, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Town of Havana Bench image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 22, 2024

3. Town of Havana Bench

Looking west from 1st Street Northwest; this bench is adjacent to the marker and sits in front of the parking lot at this site today.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 416 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 30, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.