Florida Historical Markers Programs - Marker: Columbia

Columbia

ALLIGATOR

Location:Downtown Courtyard between NE Madison and W Duval St.
County: Columbia
City: Lake City
Description: Originally called Alpata Telophka, or Alligator Town, this site was a Seminole village, ruled by the powerful chief Alligator, an instigator of the Dade Massacre, which began the great Seminole War of 1835. Following the cessation of hostilities, a white settlement sprang up on the site of the old Seminole village and became known simply as Alligator. Prior to the War Between the States, the name was changed to Lake City.

BETHEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Location:4843 South US Hwy. 441 at County Road 133-B
County: Columbia
City: Lake City
Description: Old Bethel Church was first organized by Alligator area settlers as early as the 1820s. The original church was a small log structure located some two miles northeast of this site. In 1855, this building was erected to accommodate a growing number of parishioners. One of only a few Antebellum church buildings which have survived in rural Florida, Bethel Church has served its congregation continuously since its mid-19th century founding. The building has been known in the community as "the white church by the side of the road" for over a century.
Sponsors: Bethel United Methodist Church in Cooperation with The Florida Department of State

TOWN OF FORT WHITE

Location:N 1st St., Deese Memorial Park
County: Columbia
City: Fort White
Description: The town of Fort White, named for a former Second Seminole War fort built nearby in 1837, was founded in 1870 and flourished briefly after the arrival of the railroad in 1888. Phosphate mining and the growing of citrus and cotton sparked a boom that before 1900 made Fort White the second largest city in Columbia County with a population of nearly 2,000. The boom collapsed when severe freezes in the winter of 1896-1897 destroyed the local citrus industry. Phosphate mining ceased by 1910, and the boll weevil ended cotton farming before World War I. A handful of historic buildings, such as the Old Fort White School (1915) remain from the town's era of prosperity.
Sponsors: The Florida Department of State

TOWN OF LENO

Location:O'Leno State Park
County: Columbia
City: near Mikesville
Description: Originally called "Keno", for a variation of lotto gambling, the town was settled in the 1860's. Ecclesiastical and commercial pressure changed the name to "Leno" in 1876. A grist and saw mill, cotton gin, stores, and hotel sprang up in the settlement. Railroad construction bypassed the town, and by the 1890's Leno became a ghost town. The site of old Leno (O'Leno) was purchased by the state as a park and forestry station in 1934.

FINLEY/RICHARDSON HIGH SCHOOL

Location:255 NE Coach Anders Lane
County: Columbia
City: Lake City
Description: Side One: African American education in Columbia County dates to Reconstruction when the first school was established in 1866 for freed people of color in the county. In 1906, the Lake City School for Colored Students was created under the leadership of Principal Henon Richardson and assistant Annie Mattox. Richardson was principal from 1905-1913 with a salary of $50 a month. In 1908, the faculty expanded to eight teachers with most receiving a monthly salary between $20 to $25. In 1909, the school term extended to three months. With the assistance of the school’s trustees, B.J. Jones, Horace Mattox, and J.N. Norwood, the school was expanded in 1913 from grades 1-6 to 1-9. At that time, John L. Hopps was named principal and served from 1913-1920. Between 1920-1928, three more principals would oversee the Richardson Academy including E.J. Madison, Annie Mattox, and Thomas D. Everett. In 1925, a petition was signed by the “colored” citizens and taxpayers of Lake City to purchase a new site to construct a modern school. The board agreed, and the African American trustees raised $2000 for the project. Construction of a new brick high school began on top of what had been Agnes Jones’ Boneyard, an early Florida tourist attraction. Side Two: Richardson Academy opened its doors in 1928 with 300 students under Principal Herman Tunsil. The building was a two-story block structure with 11 rooms, a library, an auditorium, and an office. E.R. Rolfe became the principal at the end of the year and served until the end of the twenties. In 1930, grades 11-12 were added under Principal H.L. Roundtree, and the school graduated its first class that year. Roundtree served 1930-1936. Following him was R.R. Kenon (1937-1944), A.L. Greene (1944-1954), C.W. Banks (1954-1957), and G.W. Ellis (1957-1960). M.L. Ferguson became principal in 1960. It had competitive sports teams, and the 1967-68 basketball team won the state championship. The school mascot was the wolves, and the colors were green and orange. Following the desegregation of U.S. public schools, it was integrated with white-only Columbia High School in 1970-71. The school was converted into a 9th grade center from 1971-1976. For much of the 20th century, Richardson helped to serve both the educational and social needs of the Lake City’s black community. Its doors closed in 1976 and much of the building was later demolished. The gym and cafeteria now serve as a community center for the surrounding neighborhood.