Lake City in Columbia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Alligator

Photographed by Diane Murphy, June 1, 2024

1. Alligator Marker

Inscription. Originally called Alpata Telophka, or Alligator Town, this site was a Seminole village, ruled by the powerful chief Alligator, an instigator of the Dade Massacre, which began the great Seminole War of 1835. Following the cessation of hostilities, a white settlement sprang up on the site of the old Seminole village and became known simply as Alligator. Prior to the War Between the States, the name was changed to Lake City.

Erected 1961 by Florida Board of Parks and Historic Memorials. (Marker Number F-68.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 30° 11.401′ N, 82° 38.221′ W. Marker is in Lake City, Florida, in Columbia County. It is at the intersection of Marion Street (SR 47) (U.S. 441) and NW Orange Street, on the right when traveling north on Marion Street (SR 47). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lake City FL 32025, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Florida.

It is also in the American 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 walking distance of this marker: Confederate Monument (a few steps from this marker); Apalachee Trail (a few steps from this marker); All Gave Some Some Gave All (within shouting distance of this marker); World War II Memorial

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(within shouting distance of this marker); World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Columbia County Korean Conflict Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Vietnam Veteran Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); 9-11 Never Forget (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake City.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . Lake City, Florida. 1859 - The name was changed because the mayor's wife, who had recently moved to the town, refused to hang her lace curtains in a town named Alligator.
Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on July 23, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 29, 2012

2. Alligator Marker

Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 29, 2012

3. Alligator Marker

Alligator Marker along Marion Street US 441 (SR 47), at NW Orange Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 29, 2012

4. Alligator Marker along Marion Street US 441 (SR 47), at NW Orange Street

(Old) Billy Bowlegs, aka Chief Alligator, Seminole image. Click for full size.

Wikipedia, via History of the Indian tribes of North America

5. (Old) Billy Bowlegs, aka Chief Alligator, Seminole

Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,502 times since then and 118 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 18, 2024, by Diane Murphy of Saint Cloud, Florida. 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 22, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5. submitted on July 23, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.