Woodland Drives in Tallahassee in Leon County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Governor John W. Martin House
Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 6, 2014
1. Governor John W. Martin House Marker
Inscription.
Governor John W. Martin House. . John Martin was born in Plainfield, Marion County, Florida on June 21, 1884. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1914. He joined the Democratic Party and toured the state making speeches in support of President Woodrow Wilson before and during World War I. From 1917 until 1923 Martin served three terms as Mayor of Jacksonville. In 1924 he ran and was elected Florida’s 24th Governor, serving from January 1925 until January 1929, during the height and collapse of the Florida Real Estate Boom. Martin was the first candidate to solicit the women’s vote. At the bottom of his political advertisements was the phrase “The Ladies are Especially Invited.” During his administration he proposed a change in the state constitution to allow the state to provide direct assistance to public elementary schools. This was ratified by the voters in 1926. Wildlife conservation programs were also begun in the state, with the restocking of quail and deer and the establishment of fish hatcheries. Martin’s house, called "Apalachee,” was constructed in the early 1930’s on his 27 acres. It is of the Georgian Revival style. In 1941, Martin sold the property to local developers who incorporated all but approximately six acres into a new subdivision called Governor’s Park. Martin moved back to Jacksonville where he lived until his death in January 1958. ,
Florida Heritage Landmark.
John Martin was born in Plainfield, Marion County, Florida on June 21, 1884. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1914. He joined the Democratic Party and toured the state making speeches in support of President Woodrow Wilson before and during World War I. From 1917 until 1923 Martin served three terms as Mayor of Jacksonville. In 1924 he ran and was elected Florida’s 24th Governor, serving from January 1925 until January 1929, during the height and collapse of the Florida Real Estate Boom. Martin was the first candidate to solicit the women’s vote. At the bottom of his political advertisements was the phrase “The Ladies are Especially Invited.” During his administration he proposed a change in the state constitution to allow the state to provide direct assistance to public elementary schools. This was ratified by the voters in 1926. Wildlife conservation programs were also begun in the state, with the restocking of quail and deer and the establishment of fish hatcheries. Martin’s house, called "Apalachee,” was constructed in the early 1930’s on his 27 acres. It is of the Georgian Revival style. In 1941, Martin sold the property to local developers who incorporated all but approximately six acres into a new subdivision called Governor’s Park. Martin moved back to Jacksonville where he lived until his death in January
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1958.
Florida Heritage Landmark
Erected 1998 by the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-393.)
Location. 30° 26.163′ N, 84° 16.13′ W. Marker is in Tallahassee, Florida, in Leon County. It is in Woodland Drives. Marker is at the intersection of Desoto Park Drive and East Lafayette Street, on the right when traveling south on Desoto Park Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1001 Desoto Park Drive, Tallahassee FL 32301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. Wide view of marker & De Soto Encampment marker
Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 6, 2014
4. Current use of house
Photographed By State of Florida Oil Painting, April 5, 2002
5. Governor John W. Martin
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 729 times since then and 82 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 9, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.