Putnam County, Florida
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Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
Bostwick School
Bronson-Mulholland House
Central Academy
Crescent City Historic District
Cummings House
Hotel James
Hubbard House
Interlachen Hall
Larimer Memorial Library
Melrose Woman's Club
Old A.C.L. Union Depot
Palatka North Historic District
Palatka Ravine Gardens Historic District
Palatka South Historic District
St. Marks Episcopal Church
Tenney House and Groveland Hotel
Asa Philip Randolph
Atlantic Coast Line
Bartram Trail in Putnam County
Basil C. Pearce Jr. USS Tang Memorial
Battle At Horse Landing
Billy Graham
Bronson-Mulholland House
Buckman Lock North / Buckman Lock South
City of Palatka Florida 9/11 Memorial
Cross Florida Barge Canal
Cross Florida Barge Canal Memorial
Florahome's History
Florida's First Bicentennial Park
Fort Shannon
Garden Center History
Hotel James
Kenwood Recreation Area
Kirkpatrick Dam
Lincoln Lane Schoolhouse
Lt. J.K. (Kay) Larkin Memorial
Melrose Cemetery
Melrose High School
Melrose Veterans Memorial
Melrose Woman's Club
Melrose World War II Memorial
Mount Royal
Native Americans at the River
Palatka
Palatka Waterworks
Putnam County Confederate Memorial
Putnam County High School Band WWII Memorial
Putnam County Korean War Memorial
Putnam County Persian Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) Memorial
Putnam County Viet Nam Memorial
Putnam County WW I Memorial
Putnam County WW II Memorial
Ravine State Gardens
Rollestown
Saint Mark's Episcopal Church
Suspension Bridges and Amphitheater
The Bostwick School
The Civil War and the Ravines
The Edgar Post Office
The First Presbyterian Church of Palatka
The Hammock
The Mount Royal Site
The Mount Royal Site
Trinity Episcopal Church
Veterans Memorial Plaza
Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial
William Bartram Trail
William Bartram Trail
Woodmen of the World Vietnam Memorial
“Spirit of the American Doughboy”
In 1774, British naturalist William Bartram explored the region, documenting the flora and fauna. However, it was not until 1821, when Florida became a United States territory, that organized settlement of Putnam County began. The county was officially established in 1849 and named after Benjamin A. Putnam, a soldier in the Seminole Wars.
In the late 19th century, Putnam County experienced a significant economic boom due to the growth of the citrus industry. The riverfront town of Palatka became a major center for citrus packaging and shipping. The industry played a crucial role in the county's economy until a series of hard freezes in the 1890s caused extensive damage to citrus groves, leading to a decline in production.
The early 20th century brought new opportunities to Putnam County with the arrival of the railroad, allowing for increased connectivity and trade. The town of Crescent City, located on the western edge of the county, became a popular destination for tourists seeking recreational activities on the lake. Today, Putnam County continues to maintain its ties to agriculture, with farming and forestry as important industries, while also embracing its natural beauty and history as a draw for visitors.
Brief timeline of the history of Putnam County, Florida:
- 1832 - Putnam County is established and named after Benjamin A. Putnam, a soldier during the Second Seminole War
- 1838 - The county seat is established in Palatka
- 1860 - Putnam County's economy is primarily based on agriculture, including citrus farming and timber production
- 1884 - The Ocklawaha River is dredged, opening up trade routes for the county
- 1893 - Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway reaches Palatka, boosting economic development
- 1908 - The construction of the Rodman Dam begins, creating the Rodman Reservoir
- 1930s - The Great Depression severely affects Putnam County, leading to economic decline
- 1968 - Hurricane Dora hits Putnam County, causing significant damage
- 1971 - The completion of the Palatka-to-St. Augustine State Trail, now known as the Palatka-to-St. Augustine Rail Trail
- 1998 - The completion of the new Palatka Memorial Bridge over St. Johns River
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Putnam County, Florida.