Apalachicola in Franklin County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Dr. John Gorrie

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, August 6, 2019

1. Dr. John Gorrie Marker after restoration

Inscription. Dr. John Gorrie (1803-1855) was an early pioneer in the invention of the artificial manufacture of ice, refrigeration, and air conditioning. He was granted the first U.S. patent for mechanical refrigeration on May 6, 1851 (U.S. Patent No. 8080). Dr. Gorrie moved to Apalachicola in 1833 after the completion of his education at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Western District of New York in Fairfield, New York. Motivated by a severe yellow fever epidemic in the summer of 1841, Dr. Gorrie and his predecessors felt the fever was caused by heat, humidity and decaying vegetation. He sought to effect a cure by introducing an element of cold in the form of refrigeration. Dr. Gorrie noted, "Nature would terminate the fevers by the changing of seasons." In May 1844, he constructed the refrigeration that received the patent. This mechanism produced ice in quantities but leakage and irregular performance impaired its operation. At various times he served as a physician of the Marine Hospital Service, Postmaster, President of the Apalachicola Branch Bank of Pensacola, Mayor, Secretary of the Masonic Lodge, and founding

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vestryman of Trinity Episcopal Church. Dr. Gorrie was honored by the State of Florida with a statue of him placed in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol.

Erected 1999 by Florida Heritage Landmark, John Gorrie State Museum And The Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-413.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1840.

Location. 29° 43.512′ N, 84° 59.124′ W. Marker is in Apalachicola, Florida, in Franklin County. It is at the intersection of 6th Street and Avenue D, on the left when traveling south on 6th Street. Marker is located across the street from the John Gorrie State Museum at 46 Sixth Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Apalachicola FL 32320, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the

Dr. John Gorrie Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Carr, July 28, 2008

2. Dr. John Gorrie Marker

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 walking distance of this marker: Birthplace of Air Conditioning. (a few steps from this marker); Trinity Episcopal Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Methodist Episcopal Church South (about 500 feet away); The Dr. Alvan W. Chapman House (about 500 feet away); Fort Coombs - Franklin Guards (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named The Dr. Alvan W. Chapman House (about 600 feet away); Willoughby Ryan Marks Memorial (about 700 feet away); The Gibson Inn (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Apalachicola.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Historic Gorrie Square (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. John Gorrie Museum website. (Submitted on January 31, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama.)
2. John Gorrie - National Statutory Hall.

John Gorrie State Museum in the background of the Dr. John Gorrie Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Carr, July 28, 2008

3. John Gorrie State Museum in the background of the Dr. John Gorrie Marker

(Submitted on January 31, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

Dr. John Gorrie Marker with Masonic tablet in background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, August 6, 2019

4. Dr. John Gorrie Marker with Masonic tablet in background

Dr. John Gorrie's Grave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, August 24, 2019

5. Dr. John Gorrie's Grave

Dr. Gorrie's gravesite, located on the grounds of Gorrie Square.

John Gorrie State Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, August 24, 2019

6. John Gorrie State Museum

The museum honors the inventor of the ice machine, and also includes objects from Apalachicola history.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 3,252 times since then and 123 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 7, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on January 31, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 4. submitted on August 7, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 5, 6. submitted on April 13, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.