Micanopy in Alachua County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Moses Elias Levy

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, April 9, 2016

1. Moses Elias Levy Marker

Inscription. Moses Elias Levy (1782-1854), a Moroccan born Jewish merchant, came to Florida after its cession from Spain to the United States in 1821. Before his arrival, Levy acquired over 50,000 acres in East Florida. In 1822, Levy began development on Pilgrimage Plantation, just northwest of the future town of Micanopy. The plantation's main commodity was sugar cane, which Levy had reintroduced to Florida. Levy and his partners, including the Florida Association of New York, helped to draw Jewish settlers to the area with the goal of creating a refuge for oppressed European Jews in a communitarian settlement, the first on U.S. soil. Levy's efforts sparked significant economic development, spurring the growth of Micanopy from a small trading post to a bustling town. Pilgrimage was destroyed in 1835 during the Second Seminole War, but Levy's reform efforts continued. He promoted free public education and served as one of the territory's first Education Commissioners. He was also a vigorous advocate for the gradual abolition of slavery and the humane treatment of enslaved people. Levy was the father of David Levy Yulee, one of the first

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U.S. Senators from Florida and the first U.S. Senator of Jewish heritage in American history.
A Florida Heritage Site

Erected 2015 by The Town of Micanopy, Micanopy Historical Society, The Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-860.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation. series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1821.

Location. 29° 30.313′ N, 82° 16.773′ W. Marker is in Micanopy, Florida, in Alachua County. It is at the intersection of NE Cholokka Boulevard and Northeast Magnolia Avenue, in the median on NE Cholokka Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Micanopy FL 32667, 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

Moses Elias Levy Marker in median of the boulevard image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, April 9, 2016

2. Moses Elias Levy Marker in median of the boulevard

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: Micanopy Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Steamboat Chacala Anchor (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Micanopy (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stagecoach Stop (about 400 feet away); William Bartram (about 400 feet away); Thrasher Warehouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); The History of Pepsi Cola (approx. 0.2 miles away); Home Made Tractor (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Micanopy.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Micanopy, Florida (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Moses Elias Levy. (Submitted on May 27, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Joel Seewald, May 1, 2024

3. Moses Elias Levy Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,736 times since then and 264 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 12, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 3. submitted on August 26, 2024, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.