Historical Data Concerning Florida

Historical map of Florida, 1931

Period of Exploration

Date	Event
1497	Sebastian and John Cabot, under Henry VII, of England, sail and probably map the entire Atlantic coast from Labrador to Mexico. First voyage of Americus Vespucius along the same route. Vasca da Gama reaches India, via Cape of Good Hope.
1500	Voyage of Gasper Cortreal (Portuguese) along the Florida coasts. Lepe, Cabral, Bastidas Las Cosas, West Indies.
1502	Ponce de Leon sails with Ovando for Hispaniola (Hayti). Date of the Alberto Cantino map. First map of Florida.(See exhibit #3)
1504	Ponce de Leon appointed Adelantado of Hiquey, the eastern Province of Hayti.
1509	Ponce de Leon appointed Governor of Porto Rico by Ferdinand, king of Spain.
1513	Ponce de Leon embarks for Bimini March 3rd, in search of The Fountain of Youth, discovers land March 27th, on Easter Sunday (Pascua Florida), christens it Florida, the land of Flowers; landing a little north of St. Augustine April 2nd. Shortly returns to Porto Rico, after discovery and charting of islands and parts of the coast.
1518	Grijalva's first slave raid to Florida and the Bahamas.
1519	Alvarez Pineda cruises up the Florida Gulf Coast and discovers the Mississippi River, naming it Rio de Santo Espiritu. Cortez conquers Mexico.
1521	Ponce de Leon's second voyage to Florida. Wounded by an Indian arrow, is carried to Cuba; dies there and buried in his castle in Porto Rico.
1524	D'Allyon's voyage to Florida coasts.
Probably date of voyage of Diego Miruello from San Domingo to Florida, exploration of the Gulf of Mexico.

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Date	Event
1525	D'Allyon's vessels wrecked on their return on Florida coasts.
1528	Narvaez's expedition embarks for Florida, landing near Tampa.
1530	Alvar Nunez Cabeza Vaca, treasurer of Narvaez's expedition,
1531	wanders across the American Continent for seven years and
1532	was the first European to cross it from the Mexican Gulf to the Gulf of California.
1539	DeSoto lands at Tampa and marches to Anhaquea (present Tallahassee) where he spends winter.
1540	DeSoto travels on north to the headwaters of the Savannah River and thence west.
1541	DeSoto discovers Mississippi.
1542	His death and burial in Mississippi.
1543	Remnant of DeSoto's force arrives at Tampico. Loss of 700 men. Death of Bobadilla, DeSoto's wife, of grief.

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Period of Colonization

Date	Event
1556	Elaborate expedition planned in Spain to colonize and Christianize Florida. Don Tristan de Luna chosen to command.
1559	De Luna's departure from Mexico to Florida and landing near what is now Pensacola. Hurricane destroys his fleet.
1561	Remnants of De Luna's force return to Mexico. Complete failure of the whole expedition.
1562	Ribault's first voyage to colonize Florida. Discovers the River May (St. Johns), establishing colony of thirty men near Port Royal and returns to France.
1563	This colony, dissatisfied, builds ship and leaves for France; small remnant only arrives home.
1564	June 22nd, Rene Laudoniere arrives on the Florida Coast at the River May (St. Johns), builds Fort Caroline and explores the country generally.
1565	August 29th, marks the arrival for the second time of Jean Ribault, followed on September 4th by Pedro Menendez de Aviles. September 6th, St. Augustine established with great pomp and ceremony and temporary fortifications built. September 16th, Ribault's fleet destroyed by tropical storm.

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Date	Event
1565	September 18th and 19th, Menendez marches with 500 men to Ft. Caroline, capturing it September 20th with great slaughter. September 25th, captures first band of shipwrecked Huguenots at Matanzas and destroys them, repeating the operation four days later. Returns to Ft. Caroline and rebuilds it, leaving later for Cuba.
1566	Menendez returns to Spain and receives royal welcome. Small colony, including fourteen women, sent from Spain to St. Augustine.
1567	Dominique de Gourges plans revenge for Huguenot massacre and leaves France for that purpose.
1568	De Gourges arrives at the St. Mary's River and proceeds south to the St. Johns and destroys Ft. San Mateo and garrison, avenging his countrymen, returns to France.
1569	Menendez returns from Spain, rebuilds San Mateo, destroys St. Elena, and then returns to Spain.
1570	Mutinies in the Spanish forts in Florida.
1574	Death of Menendez September 17th, aged 55, at the height of his fame at Santander. Elaborate burial in Aviles, Spain.
1575	Hernando de Miranda appointed governor of Florida to succeed Menendez.
1577	St. Helena, which had been reestablished, again dismantled and inhabitants sent to St. Augustine.
1578	St. Augustine and Florida's importance stressed at the Court of Spain and appropriations made for same.
1584	Marked influx of missionaries to Florida from Spain.
1586	Drake destroys St. Augustine and loots its treasury.
1587	St. Augustine rebuilt and much improved, with funds from Spain.
1588	The destruction of Spanish Armada on the English coasts. Spain's naval power completely crippled. Spanish colonies suffer accordingly.
1595	Hernando de Mestas plans to build the Forts at St. Augustine of stone, voyages to Spain for that object and obtains royal authority to do so.
1612	Eleven convents reported flourishing and active in Florida.
1613	First accounts of experimental tobacco growing in Florida.
1615	Probable date of building Mission near St. Marys. Walls still standing.
1630	St. Robert Dudley Duke of Northumberland surveys and charts the coasts of Florida the second time.
1637	Expedition planned by Spain to conquer the Indian tries of West Florida successful.
1638	Building of stone fort and other improvements commenced with forced labor of Indian prisoners.
1639	Large quarries opened on Anastasia Island to supply rock for fortification and Seawall.
1642	Sir Robert Dudley surveys and charts the Florida coast from Cape Canaveral northward.
1645	Probable date of building fort at Matanzas.
1647	Population of St. Augustine reported as two thousand.
1649	Great activity in mission work and success reported in Christianizing Indians.
1665	Centenary of the establishment of St. Augustine by Menendez. The English freebooter Davis destroys the city.
1675	Expedition from Florida to destroy the British settlement at St. Helena.
1686	British succeed in conquering all Spanish territory to the north of St. Augustine and driving Spaniards out.
1696	D'Ariola founds Pensacola. Jonathan Dickenson's shipwreck on the Florida coast, which later being published excited great interest.
1697	Perdido River in West Florida accepted as a boundary between France and Spain.
1698	War being declared between France and Spain, reacts unfavorably on colonies in West Florida, formerly helpful to each other.
1704	Fort San Luis, two miles west of Tallahassee, destroyed; the last inland fortification maintained by Spain.
1715	Wreck of Spanish treasure fleet on Carysfoot Reef, Florida.
1716	English ships loot much of the recovered treasure amounting to $700,000, carrying it to Jamaica.
1718	Don Antonio Malini appointed Governor of Florida. All Indians driven away from Spanish settlements to their great loss. First account of any settlement at St. Josephs Bay, first by the French and later by the Spaniards.
1719	Flags changed four times this year at Pensacola, from Spain to France and vice versa.
1722	Peace in Europe concluded between France and Spain. Pensacola and West Florida returned to Spain by France.
1725	Col. Palmer's attack on Florida from South Carolina.
1726	Palmer returns home with immense booty in cattle, etc., looted from the Spaniards in Florida.
1739	England declares war on Spain. Oglethorpe instructed to harass Spanish possessions in Florida.
1740	Oglethorpe proceeds to Picolata, Florida, and besieges St. Augustine.
1741	Indigo culture first mentioned in Florida.
1742	Spanish expedition from Havana and Florida attack Oglethorpe in Georgia. Defeated at the battle of Bloody Marsh Island near St. Simons.
1743	Oglethorpe's second expedition to Florida.
1750	Great suffering from yellow fever epidemic in St. Augustine.
1755	Fernando de Herreda appointed Governor of Florida, great building activity.
1756	Castle of San Marco in St. Augustine completed in this year after 118 years' work on same.
1761	War again breaks out between Spain and England.
1762	Havana and Manilla captured by England's navy with immense booty totaling $28,000,000.
1763	Havana restored to Spain in exchange for Florida. Peace.
1764	Great English immigration to Florida, mills and plantations
1765	started, great industry and activity.
1767	Dr. Andrew Turnbull receives grant of land and he and Sir William Duncan bring large colonies of Greeks and Minorcans to Florida.
1768	Mutinies and troubles break out on Turnbull's plantations.
1769	The botanists, William and John Bartram, father and son, travel through Florida and compile valuable information for the Colonial government, works still extant.
1774	Governor Patrick Tonyn succeeds Governor Moultrie as English governor of East Florida, bitterly opposes Dr. Turnbull.

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Changing Flags

Date	Event
1776	Year of Independence. Florida remains loyal to England. Declaration of Independence with effigies of John Hancock and John Adams publicly burned in the park at St. Augustine.
1777	Breaking up of the Turnbull, New Smyrna, Colony.
1778	Revolutionary rumblings of France have a marked effect on Florida.
1779	Invasion of West Florida threatened by Spaniards in Louisiana.
1781	Forts of Pensacola under Col. Campbell (British) surrender to Spanish attack.
1783	September 3rd, treaty of Peace signed in Paris, ending the Revolutionary war.
1788	William Augustus Bowles, military adventurer, attacks Spanish interests in Florida.
1789	Bowles assumes control of Muscogee Indians.
1790	Treaty made between the United States and Creek Indians in Florida in which the Indians agree to return runaway slaves.
1791	Bowles captured, sent to Spain and later to the Philippines where he was imprisoned for six years.
1792	Indians and Negroes enlisted by border ruffians to incite troubles with Spanish Florida.
1795	Treaty between the United States and Spain as to Florida's western boundary.
1796	Boundaries finally agreed on by Commissioners of both countries.
1797	Bowles escapes from Spain, proceeds to England, there aided to harass the United States in West Florida.
1798	Second Boundary Commission, after delay of two years, reports their work completed as between Spain and U.S.A.
1800	Spain, by secret treaty, cedes Louisiana to France. Part of Florida seems to be included. Monuments later erected, satisfactory to both parties.
1801	Bowles captured the second time, sent to Cuba.
1803	The purchase from France of Louisiana for $15,000,000, giving the United States control of the Mississippi Valley. Boundaries between this territory and Florida again questioned.
1808	Fernandina declared a free port became a rendezvous for much questionable trade.
1809	Napoleon, having conquered Spain in Europe, claims all her colonies, Florida included. This was stoutly resisted by the United States and later in 1823 became elaborated in the Monroe Doctrine.
1810	Republic of West Florida organized September 10th, at Pensacola, to control disputed territory. Dissolved after an existence of 58 days by orders from Washington, without trouble.
1811	War imminent between United States and England. Republic of East Florida, so called.
1812	June 18th, war declared on England by the United States. Organization of Republic of Florida.
1813	All American influences withdrawn from Florida by order of President Madison, with apologies to Spain and pardon to former disturbers of the peace.
1814	Fierce engagement off Cape Canaveral, Florida, between British and American war vessels. British troops occupy Pensacola, speedily driven out by Andrew Jackson. Articles of Peace signed in Ghent, Belgium, between England and United States, December 24th.
1818	Jackson's second invasion of Florida.
1819	Treaty drawn up in Washington for Florida's transfer to United States.
1820	October 24th, Treaty of Transfer duly approved and signed.
1821	Transfer of West Florida accepted by Andrew Jackson. Flags changed at Pensacola from Spain to United States of American July 17th. July 10th, transfer of East Florida at St. Augustine, to Col. Robert Butler. Ratification exchanged February 22nd.

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Territorial Period

Date	Event
1821	July 21st, St. Johns and Escambia created counties, and municipal Government established in St. Augustine and Pensacola.
1822	John James Audubon, noted naturalist, visits and writes of Florida Civil government established March 3.
1823	Second Legislative Council held in May, in St. Augustine, and decision made that a central point of meeting be chosen for future Legislation. First treaty made, September 18th, with Florida Indians at Moultrie Creek, signed by 32 leading chiefs.
1824	Dr. Simmons and John Lee Williams select Neomathla's village near Tallahassee for future State Capitol.
1825	Appropriation of $23,000 by the Legislative Council to build road from Pensacola to St. Augustine. Congress voted $200,000 to Lafayette and 23,000 acres just east of Tallahassee, Florida. Later settled by emigrants from France. Achile Murat, son of the King of Naples, immigrates to Florida, first living in St. Augustine, and later in Tallahassee married a Virginia lady visiting Tallahassee, where he died in 1847.
1826	Congress grants to Florida the elective franchise for their representatives in Congress and State Legislature.
1828	Judicial District formed for the whole of South Florida Court to sit at Key West. First bank organized in Florida, at Tallahassee.
1829	Privilege extended to elect all officers for Florida except the Governor, he being appointed by the President.
1830	Founding of St. Joseph. Commencement of era of wildcat banking and boomtowns in Florida.
1831	Legislative Council encourages plans for roads and canals to aid internal transportation. Bank of St. Augustine chartered.
1832	Treaty with the Indians at Payne's Landing on the Ocklawaha. Jacksonville's first Charter of Incorporation.
1835	Beginning of Indian War. Dade massacre December 25th. Osceola becomes a prominent leader in Indian affairs.
1837	Osceola's capture and imprisonment.
1838	Osceola's death at Ft. Moultrie near Charleston, S.C.
1839	Constitutional Convention held at St. Joseph adjourned, having given Florida its first Constitution.
1840	Murder of Dr. Henry Perrine at Indian Key and destruction of Lighthouse at Cape Florida by so-called Spanish Indians. Company of play actors murdered by Indians near Picolata.
1841	Closing scenes of the Indian War. Coacochee captured and deported.
1842	Armed Occupation Act.
1844	Preparation to enter Statehood.

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As A State

Date	Event
1845	March 3rd, Florida and Iowa become States by the same Act. Dr. John Gorrie discovered process of making ice.
1847	War with Mexico, Florida largely drawn on for troops. Lighthouse built at Cape Canaveral.
1849	Breaking up of the Indian River colony near Ft. Pierce by the murder by Indians of Trader Barker at Barker's Bluff.
1850	Swamp Land Act passed by Congress.
1856	Lands granted to the Florida Railroad Co., and construction begins on first through State railroad.
1858	Close of last war with the Seminoles.

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Under the Confederacy

Date	Event
1861	January 10th, Florida secedes, and on February 17th, joins the Confederacy at the Montgomery Convention. April 12th first shot fired on Ft. Sumter, Charleston, S.C. Civil War commenced.
1862	During February and March all principal towns in Florida in occupation by Federal troops and its whole coast blockaded.
1863	Large numbers of Florida Negroes enlisted in the Northern Army and various expeditions sent against the fortifications along the St. Johns River.
1864	February 20th, at Olustee, Florida, was fought the one great battle on Florida soil; more than 9,000 men engaged. Federals badly defeated.
1865	Lee's surrender at Appomattox to Grant, April 9th Abraham Lincoln assassinated April 14th. Final surrender of Confederate troops May 26th by Gen. E. Kirby Smith in Texas. President Jefferson Davis captured and imprisoned and his cabinet scattered, some finally reaching Cuba via the Indian River and the Keys. May 20th, Tallahassee, only Confederate State Capital not captured during war, yields peaceable possession to Federal troops.
1866	Reconstruction begins under Federal supervision.

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Reestablished in the Union

Date	Event
1868	Civil government reestablished July 4th. Carpetbaggers in full power with all the abuses incident to this period of history in the South. Negroes used as political powers by Northern politicians.
1876	Presidential election claimed by Democrats and Republicans on disputed returns from South Carolina, Florida and Louisiana. Hayes elected.
1877	Federal supervision of Florida affairs ends and reconstruction times closed under President Hayes.
1879	First telephones installed in Jacksonville.
1881	Sale of four million acres of State owned lands to Hamilton Disston and associates.
1882	Establishment of Institute for Deaf Mutes in St. Augustine, and Academy established in DeLand by H.A. Deland.
1885	Constitutional Convention met in Tallahassee.
1887	Building of palatial hotels in St. Augustine commenced by Henry M. Flagler.
1889	Discovery of phosphate. Special session of the Legislature called by Governor Fleming and State Board of Health organized with splendid effect on contagious and infectious diseases.
1890	H.B. Plant built Tampa Bay Hotel.
1891	Sub-Tropical Exhibition opened in Jacksonville, doing much to advertise Florida's products.
1892	Flagler railroad reaches Titusville and proceeds down the East Coast.
1893	World's Fair opened at Chicago. Florida represented.
1895	Severe frost, in February, destroys practically the entire citrus production of Florida for some years to come.
1896	Florida East Coast Railroad reaches Miami June 26th.
1897	Activity in railroad building on the West Coast of Florida.
1898	Spanish-American war give Florida great impetus.
1899	Fire destroys Miami.
1900	Last Democratic Convention held in Florida for nomination of State officers.
1901	May 3rd, 466 acres in Jacksonville laid waste by disastrous fire, with some loss of life and untold value in records, etc.
1904	Rebuilding of the Mayport jetties improves navigation of the St. Johns River to Jacksonville and large ships enter safely.
1905	First cut to the ocean for Miami Harbor. Florida East Coast Railroad commences extension to Key West. Overseas railroad.
1907	Everglades drainage commences under supervision of Governor Broward.
1912	Florida East Coast Railroad runs first train into Key West.
1914	Germany declares war on France, and England on Germany, causing great uncertainty and depression in Florida business
1915	circles, especially in naval stores, timber and phosphate: shipping at a standstill.
1917	United States enters the World War April 6th. Shipyards and camps greatly increase Florida's activities.
1918	November 11th, Armistice declared which closes hostilities.
1922	Orange crop largest ever known to this date, 16,000,000 boxes.
1924	Renewed activities and increase in land values. Great road building program laid out and work commenced, giving Florida unexcelled communication as never before dreamed possible.

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Territorial Governors

Andrew Jackson (Military)	1821-1822
William P. Duval	1822-1834
John H. Eaton	1834-1836
Richard Keith Call	1836-1839
Robt. Raymond Reid	1839-1841
Richard Keith Call	1841-1844
John Branch	1844-1845

Since Florida was Admitted to Statehood

William D. Moseley	1845-1849
Thomas Brown	1849-1853
James E. Broome	1853-1857
Madison Perry	1857-1861
John Milton	1861-1865
Abraham K. Allison	1865
William Marvin (provisional)	1865-1866
David Shelby Walker	1866-1868
Harrison Reed	1868-1873
Ossian B. Hart	1873-1874
Marcellus L. Stearns	1874-1877
Geo. F. Drew	1877-1881
William D. Bloxham	1881-1885
Edward A. Perry	1885-1889
Francis P. Fleming	1889-1893
Henry L. Mitchell	1893-1897
William D. Bloxham	1897-1901
William Sherman Jennings	1901-1905
Napoleon Bonaparte Broward	1905-1909
Albert W. Gilchrist	1909-1913
Park Trammell	1913-1917
Sidney J.Catts	1917-1921
Cary A. Hardee	1921-1925
John W. Martin	1925-1929
Doyle E. Carlton	1929-

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