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Here Are The 10 Oldest Towns In Florida … loaded with history

12/7/2020

Oldest.org ... says "Florida was the first part of what is now the contiguous United States to be settled by European explorers. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León first landed in the area in 1513, which marks the beginning of the American Frontier. Soon after de León’s arrival, Spain began to establish settlements around Florida.

However, several of these early settlements failed until 1565, when St. Augustine was founded. The success of this settlement lead the Spanish to develop several more until Florida was ceded to the United States in 1821. This list highlights the seven oldest cities in Florida, which all still exist today." Here is there several of our oldest cities.

Oldest Cities and Towns ,,, Oldest.org and Only in Your State and

#1 ST AUGUSTINE is the oldest city in Florida, it is also the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the United States. Founded as a Spanish colony in 1565

#2 PENSACOLA - although not well known, the city was founded in 1698. It was first settled by the Spanish in 1559.

#3 FERNANDINA BEACH, located on Amelia Island, is known as the “Isle of 8 Flags” - the city has been occupied by eight different nations since 1562.

#4 KEY WEST was originally inhabited by the Calusa's. Like settlements in Florida, Key West was visited by the Spanish after Juan Ponce de León in 1521.

#5 TALLAHASSEE has been the capital of Florida since the city was officially established in 1824 by the state legislature.

#6 Marianna is a small city in Florida founded in 1827 and during the Civil War, was the military HQ for Confederate troops

*Quincy was established in 1828. The small city is best known for its “Coca-Cola millionaires” and at one point was know as the US richest town per capita

*Micanopy, the oldest inland town, renamed in 1834, is a small village with unique antique shops, restaurants & historic homes. (id #1)

*Jacksonville (prelim)

*Apalachicola is a fishing town in the Panhandle incorporated in 1827. It's known for its small town charm, great seafood and shops.

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Only in Your State says ... "Florida is an interesting place, with a very interesting history. It makes sense that some of the best places in our state are the charming and historic towns, especially the oldest ones. It’s difficult to pin down the oldest places in the state, because so many of our towns predate Florida as a state, or even as a U.S. territory. We settled on using the official date of incorporation to help us find the 10 oldest towns in Florida, not listed in any particular order, but it’s all open to interpretation."

St.Augustine: The oldest continuously inhabited city in the United States, St. Augustine retains a lot of its historic charm, while continuing to evolve and grow. It also served as the capital of Spanish Florida, and of U.S. Territory of Florida before it was changed to Tallahassee. As with many old cities, there's several ghost stories swirling around St. Augustine, including haunted hotels like the Casablanca Inn On The Bay. Click here for additional St Augustine details and photo opportunities.

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Pensacola: Pensacola is one of the oldest and most historic cities in America, with a settlement that predated even St. Augustine's (but only lasted a short time). Pensacola became part of the U.S. in 1821, and it was officially incorporated in 1825. Its history far predates this time, and it was ruled by five different flags in its history. Click here for additional Pensacola details and photo opportunities.

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Fernandina Beach: The "Isle of 8 Flags" may have been controlled by eight different nations, but it's been an incorporated town here since 1825. The history of this city in Northeast Florida goes much, much farther back. Many of the 19th-century buildings remain in the charming downtown district.
Click here for additional Fernandina Beach details and photo opportunities.

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Marianna: Marianna was founded in 1828, and named for the Scottish founder's wife Mary and her friend Anna. Marianna's downtown has a nicely restored historic district, and it has been recognized as a Florida Main Street Town. Click here for additional Marianna details and photo opportunities.

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Tallahassee was incorporated in 1825. It was chosen as the capital of Florida long before Florida became a state, due to its central location between Pensacola and St. Augustine.
Click here for additional Tallahassee details and photo opportunities.

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Key West: Lt. Commander Matthew C. Perry planted an American flag on Key West in 1822, claiming the islands for the United States, and it was incorporated as a city in Florida in 1828. Head to the Key West Historic District, or Old Town, to see some of the oldest structures on the island.
Click here for additional Key West details and photo opportunities.

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Quincy: This town in Gadsden County was established in 1828, named for our sixth president, John Quincy Adams. In its early years Quincy became very prosperous due to a booming tobacco industry. Click here for additional Quincy details and photo opportunities.

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Apalachicola: This town of around 2.200 in the Panhandle was originally incorporated as the town of West Point in 1827, and then became Apalachicola in 1831. It's famous for its small town charm and excellent oysters. Click here for additional Apalachicola details and photo opportunities.

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Jacksonville: Florida's largest city is also one of its oldest. Soon after Spain gave up Florida to the United States, folks near the area the British had called Cowford started founding this town named after Andrew Jackson. It was officially incorporated in 1832. From hiking trails to beautiful beaches, Jacksonville appeals to just about everyone.
Click here for additional Jacksonville details and photo opportunities.

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Micanopy: This small town just south of Gainesville is known for its historic buildings and great antique stores. It was incorporated in 1837, but its roots go all the way back before Florida became a U.S. territory. Nicknamed ”The Town That Time Forgot,” the history behind Micanopy is truly fascinating.
Click here for additional details and photo opportunities.

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. Florida's Oldest Towns

Here Are The 10 Oldest Towns In Florida … loaded with history

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