Historical Marker

Civil War

Historical marker location:
Sanford, Florida
( Marker is on Seminole Boulevard north of North Park Avenue, on the right when traveling west.)

1861-1865

  A brief timeline of the Civil War

  • April 12, 1861: The Civil War begins with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, located in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor.

  • April 15, 1861: President Abraham Lincoln issues a call for 75,000 volunteers to serve in the Union Army to suppress the rebellion.

  • May 24, 1861: The first major land battle, known as the First Battle of Bull Run (or First Battle of Manassas), takes place in Virginia. It ends in Confederate victory.

  • September 17, 1862: The Battle of Antietam in Maryland becomes the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with heavy casualties on both sides. The Union forces, commanded by General George McClellan, manage to halt Confederate General Robert E. Lee's advance into Union territory.

  • January 1, 1863: President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territories are to be set free. However, the proclamation does not immediately free all slaves in the United States.

  • July 1-3, 1863: The Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania takes place, resulting in a significant Union victory and inflicting heavy casualties on Confederate forces. It marks a turning point in the war.

  • November 19, 1863: President Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address, emphasizing the principles of liberty, equality, and the preservation of the Union.

  • April 9, 1865: General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War.

  • April 14, 1865: President Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.

  • May 10, 1865: Confederate President Jefferson Davis is captured, signaling the collapse of the Confederate government.

  • December 6, 1865: The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, officially abolishing slavery throughout the country.

While this timeline provides an overview of key events, it is important to note that the Civil War spanned over four years, from 1861 to 1865, and encompassed numerous battles, campaigns, and political developments that shaped the course of American history.

Florida is like a miniature America. It's composed of every kind of person, every class.
Zora Neale Hurston in Barron's, 1935
Seminole County, Florida, has a rich history that dates back thousands of years to the indigenous people who first inhabited the area. The Timucua tribe was one of the early Native American groups that lived in what is now Seminole County, even before the arrival of European explorers. Spanish explorers first made contact with the Timucua people in the 1500s, but conflict and diseases brought by the explorers ultimately led to the decline of the Timucua population.

In the 19th century, Seminole County was part of an ongoing struggle between Native American tribes and European settlers. The Seminole Wars, primarily fought in the early 1800s, were a series of conflicts between the Seminole tribe and the United States government. The war had a significant impact on Seminole County, as it was the site of several battles and served as a refuge for the Seminole people. The wars ended with the forced removal of many Seminole people to reservations in present-day Oklahoma.

Following the Seminole Wars, Seminole County saw an influx of settlers, particularly after the area was opened up for settlement in the late 1800s. The construction of railroads, such as the South Florida Railroad, played a crucial role in the growth of the county by connecting it to other parts of the state. This led to the establishment of towns like Sanford, which became a major transportation hub and center of commerce.

In the 20th century, Seminole County continued to develop and diversify. The growth of the aerospace industry in nearby Cape Canaveral and the establishment of the Kennedy Space Center brought economic opportunities to the county. With its proximity to the Orlando metropolitan area and the development of Walt Disney World, Seminole County also became an attractive location for residents looking for suburban living. Today, Seminole County is known for its vibrant communities, natural beauty, and successful blend of urban and rural areas.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Seminole County, Florida.

  • 1821 - Florida becomes a territory of the United States as part of the Adams-Onís Treaty.
  • 1824 - The Seminole Tribe is recognized as a separate nation by the U.S. government.
  • 1835-1842 - The Second Seminole War takes place, leading to the removal of many Seminole Native Americans from the area.
  • 1845 - Florida is admitted as the 27th state of the United States.
  • 1911 - Seminole County is created from portions of Orange County and St. Johns County.
  • 1913 - The county seat of Seminole County is established in Sanford.
  • 1920s - The citrus industry thrives in Seminole County, contributing to its economic growth.
  • 1941-1945 - Seminole County plays a role in World War II as a training site for military personnel and the location of an Army Air Forces' bomber base.
  • 1971 - Walt Disney World Resort opens its doors in nearby Orange County, having a significant impact on tourism in the region.
  • 1991 - The City of Lake Mary is incorporated, becoming the largest city in Seminole County.
  • 2010 - The population of Seminole County reaches over 400,000 residents.