The Counties of Florida
Posted 11-12-2009 at 08:38 PM by Brenda Rees
Updated 12-16-2009 at 10:56 AM by Brenda Rees (Added 1836 Florida map. 1837 J. Lee Williams map)
Updated 12-16-2009 at 10:56 AM by Brenda Rees (Added 1836 Florida map. 1837 J. Lee Williams map)
THE COUNTIES OF FLORIDA
Presented by
Brenda Rees – Shaping Florida
Walton County is one of the oldest counties in Florida and was created December 29, 1824. The first two counties created in Florida on July 21, 1821 were Escambia and St. Johns with the Suwannee River as the dividing line. Then, in 1822, Jackson was created from Escambia and Duval from St. Johns. Gadsden and Monroe were formed in 1823. Walton County was formed in 1824 along with Leon, Alachua, Nassau and Mosquito. The impact this county development had is discussed in some of my other blogs.
This 1836 Florida Map by Tanner shows Alaqua in Walton County. Also, South Walton is in Washington County at this time. South Walton was within the original borders of Walton County in 1824. Few counties exist in south Florida. Our current neighboring counties of Bay and Okaloosa don't exist. Counties were developed for political control of the legislature. Since this legislative configuration changed with the Voting Rights Act of 1964, perhaps we'll consolidate one day to save money.
There are 67 counties in Florida. Here is a listing of the year they were created. (Source: Florida Statutes 1941)
1. Escambia July 21, 1821
2. St. Johns July 21, 1821
3. Jackson Aug 12, 1822
4. Duval Aug 12, 1822
5. Gadsden June 24, 1823
6. Monroe July 3, 1823
7. Leon Dec 29, 1824
8. Walton Dec 29, 1824
9. Alachua Dec 29, 1824
10. Nassau Dec 29, 1824
11. Mosquito Dec 29, 1824 (name changed)
Orange Jan 30, 1845 (was Mosquito)
12.Washington Dec 9, 1825
13. Jefferson January 20, 1827
14. Madison December 26, 1827
15. Hamilton Dec 26, 1827
16. Columbia Feb 4, 1832
17. Franklin Feb 8, 1832
18. Hillsborough Jan 25, 1834
19. Dade Feb 4, 1836
20. Calhoun Jan 26, 1838
21. Santa Rosa Feb 18, 1842
22.Hernando Feb 24, 1843 (name changed)
Benton March 6, 1844 (was Hernando)
Hernando Dec 24, 1850 (was Benton)
23. Wakulla Mar 11, 1843
24. Marion Mar 14, 1844
25. St. Lucie Mar 14, 1844 (name changed)
Brevard Jan 6, 1855 (was St. Lucie)
26. Levy Mar 10, 1845
27. Holmes Jan 8, 1848
28. Putnam Jan 13, 1849
29. Sumter Jan 8, 1853
30. Volusia Dec 29, 1854
31. Manatee Jan 9, 1855
32. Liberty Dec 15, 1855
33. Lafayette Dec 23, 1856
34. Taylor Dec 23, 1856
35. Suwannee Dec 21, 1858
36. New River Dec 21, 1858 (name changed)
Bradford Dec 6, 1861 (from New River)
37. Clay Dec 31, 1858
38. Baker Feb 8, 1861
39. Polk Feb 8, 1861
40. Osceola May 12, 1887
41. Lee May 13, 1887
42. DeSoto May 19, 1887
43. Lake May 27, 1887
44. Citrus June 2, 1887
45. Pasco June 2, 1887
46. St. Lucie May 24, 1905
47. Palm Beach April 30, 1909
48. Pinellas May 23, 1911
49. Bay April 24, 1913
50. Seminole April 25, 1913
51. Broward April 30, 1915
52. Okaloosa June 13, 1915
53. Flagler April 28, 1917
54. Okeechobee May 8, 1917
55. Hardee April 23, 1921
56. Highlands April 23, 1921
57. Charlotte April 23, 1921
58. Glades April 23, 1921
59. Dixie April 25, 1921
60. Sarasota May 14, 1921
61. Union May 20, 1921
62. Collier May 8, 1923
63. Hendry May 11, 1923
64. Martin May 30, 1925
65. Indian River May 30, 1925
66. Gulf June 6, 1925
67. Gilchrist Dec 4, 1925
A section of an 1837 Florida map by J. Lee Williams showing Escambia, Walton and parts of Jackson and Washington counties.
Total Comments 1
Comments
-
Great information Brenda! Thank you for all of your hard work and enthusiasm for our Great State of Florida! KARESPosted 11-14-2009 at 12:16 PM by KARES
Total Trackbacks 0
