Tallahassee in Leon County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Florida State University Campus

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 7, 2014

1. The Florida State University Campus Marker

Inscription. The Florida State University campus is the oldest continuously used site of higher education in the state of Florida. In 1851, the Florida Legislature authorized the establishment of two state seminaries, one east and one west of the Suwannee River. Eager to attract the western seminary, the city of Tallahassee, under the leadership of Intendent (Mayor) Francis Eppes, offered to donate four city lots on which to locate the school and provide $2,000 a year for its operation. The site chosen for the new institution was the crest of "Gallows Hill," located about a half mile west of the center of town. The West Florida Seminary opened in 1857, the first classes being held in a wood frame building erected by the city. Eppes, the grandson of Thomas Jefferson, served for eight years as president of the seminary's governing board. In 1901, the name of the school was changed to Florida State College and in 1909 it became the Florida State College for Women. The Florida Legislature transformed the college into a fully coeducational institution in 1947, creating The Florida State University.
A Florida Heritage Landmark

Erected 1997

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

by the Florida State University and Florida Department of State - Sandra B. Mortham, Secretary of State. (Marker Number F-374.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 30° 26.449′ N, 84° 17.487′ W. Marker is in Tallahassee, Florida, in Leon County. It can be reached from South Copeland Street near West College Avenue. Located to the right of the front entrance of the Wescott Building. Park across the street at the Wescott Welcome Center on West College Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: South Copeland Street, Tallahassee FL 32304, 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,

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

FSU Wescott Building (Administration) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 7, 2014

2. FSU Wescott Building (Administration)

South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: John Thrasher (within shouting distance of this marker); The Westcott Fountain and Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Kent "T.K." Wetherell (within shouting distance of this marker); Mina Jo Powell Alumni Green (within shouting distance of this marker); Antonio Proctor, George Proctor, John Proctor (approx. 0.3 miles away); Old City Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Major General David Lang (approx. 0.4 miles away); Prince and Princess Murat (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tallahassee.

Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia article on the Wescott Building. (Submitted on December 9, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
2. History of Florida State University. (Submitted on December 9, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

The Florida State University image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 7, 2014

3. The Florida State University

Close up of Wescott Building and marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 7, 2014

4. Close up of Wescott Building and marker

<i>Front Entrance, and Administration Building, Florida State College for Women...</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Asheville Post Card Co., circa 1925

5. Front Entrance, and Administration Building, Florida State College for Women...

Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2017. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,037 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 9, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 5. submitted on December 9, 2014.