Unveiling Our Past The Hidden Stories Behind Street Names and Landmarks! TLH 200

Unveiling the Untold Tales Behind Our Names
Have you ever wondered about the stories hidden within our names? Former Tallahassee Democrat columnist and city historian Gerald Ensley spent years sharing intriguing glimpses into the historical figures and meanings behind the streets we traverse and the landmarks we cherish in the pages of the Tallahassee Democrat. These points of interest narrate the rich history of Florida’s capital city. Republishing his beloved Local Names series has been a frequent request from readers, and today, we are delighted to present his entire collection, thoughtfully updated and edited. This comprehensive compilation invites you to delve into the narrative of our community. As we celebrate Tallahassee and Leon County’s bicentennial, take a moment to immerse yourself in our shared heritage.
For over four decades, Tallahassee’s streets were marked by concrete posts that stood at waist-height, some of which still stand today. These four-sided, white posts with black lettering displaying street names were first installed in 1936. However, they were eventually replaced in 1979 with reflective aluminum signs on taller metal posts, as per national traffic regulations. The switch was necessary not only for visibility but also to reduce maintenance issues and damages caused by collisions. While the concrete markers have largely vanished, a few serve new purposes as parking lot bumpers, erosion controls, or cherished mementos.
Exploring Pottsdamer Street in southwest Tallahassee unveils the legacy of Edward A. Pottsdamer, a distinguished Black entrepreneur and landowner of the early 20th century. Born in Lake City in 1877, Pottsdamer relocated to Tallahassee in 1891, where he honed his craft at the Wahnish Cigar Factory before establishing his own E. A. Pottsdamer Cigar Company nearby. His expertise was recognized when he clinched the blue ribbon for crafting Florida’s finest cigar at the state fair in 1922. Pottsdamer’s impact extended beyond business as he generously contributed property for the construction of the new Lincoln High School following a devastating fire. His estate also played a vital role in the development of the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. Remembered as a pillar of the community, Pottsdamer’s name adorns a street in the Callen neighborhood, a testament to his lasting influence.

Public Service and Community Contributions: Edward Pottsdamer was actively involved in political affairs, serving on the board of the state Republican Party in 1920 and later on the executive board of the Leon County Republican Party in 1938. He was also a dedicated member of various organizations, including the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. Pottsdamer played a significant role in leading the Black community bond drive during World War II and received a Silver Eagle Award for his service with the Boy Scouts. Despite not having children of their own, Edward and his wife Pinkie raised two nephews. Tragically, their older nephew passed away at a young age in 1920 due to a fatal accident involving an electric wire during a storm. The younger nephew, Vinzant Pottsdamer, went on to serve as a Marine Corps veteran and educator before his passing in 1997.

The Callen neighborhood, established in 1953 by Frank Stoutamire, former Tallahassee Police Chief, is situated between the FSU golf course and Pine View Elementary. The neighborhood features streets named after notable individuals, including Dr. William Gunn, Tallahassee’s first Black physician, and Maude Callen, a renowned nurse-midwife and graduate of Florida A&M. Edward Pottsdamer, who passed away in 1961, and his wife, who died in 1957, are laid to rest in the Old City Cemetery. Additionally, furnishings from Pottsdamer’s home can be found in the FAMU Black Archives.

Bel Air: A Historical Retreat from Yellow Fever

Bel Air was founded in 1841 approximately six miles south of Tallahassee as a refuge from the yellow fever epidemic that plagued the city. The community, known for its open pine woods and fresh air, was considered a healthier alternative during the outbreak. Bel Air served as a retreat for affluent individuals until the conclusion of the Civil War. Today, no remnants of the community exist, with local historians suggesting its probable location near the present-day Flea Market on Capital Circle SW.

The Bel Air Road, which remained the main route south from Tallahassee into the 20th century, followed a path similar to the current Woodville Highway and ran parallel to the St. Marks Railroad. Historians believe the road originally started at the Tallahassee railroad depot and extended southward to the Woodville Highway.

Legacy of T.S. Green in Tallahassee

Thomas Sherrill Green, a prominent real estate developer in Tallahassee during the 1920s and 1930s, left a lasting impact on the city’s landscape. Green developed various neighborhoods, including the Sunniland neighborhood, now part of Levy Park, bounded by Seventh Avenue, Milton Street, 10th Avenue, and M.L. King Boulevard. To honor his contributions, streets like Green Street in Levy Park and T.S. Green Road in Miccosukee bear his

Born in Mt. Gilead, North Carolina, T.S. Green resided in Miccosukee from 1906 to 1929, where he managed a general store and produce warehouse near the railroad tracks. In 1937, T.S. and his wife, Velva, constructed an impressive two-story brick home at 228 E. Tharpe St., which offered a view of Lake Ella. The Greens had three sons. Velva Green passed away in 1971, while T.S. Green lived until 1974, reaching the age of 96.

The All Saints Neighborhood, situated between Gaines Street and the railroad, used to have streets named after saints, possibly named by Irish laborers who helped construct the nearby railroad in the 1850s or by George K. Walker who developed the area in the 1880s. Some remaining streets retain the saints’ names, such as St. Francis, St. Michaels, and All Saints streets. Originally, streets like Duval Street (St. Peter’s), Bronough Street (St. James), and Railroad Avenue (St. Patrick’s) also carried saints’ names within the area.

A revival is underway in the once-fading All Saints Neighborhood, with new buildings and businesses emerging. Additionally, Wahnish Way, named after Samuel Alfred Wahnish, a Jewish pioneer and tobacco tycoon, features the former Wahnish Cigar Factory, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Ox Bottom Road, linking Thomasville Road and Meridian Road, was named after an area where farmers frequently found their lost oxen grazing on maiden cane. The road was established in the 1950s through a former rural farming region purchased by W.J. and Sue Boynton from Mrs. Alfred B. Maclay.

Flagg Street, found off the Woodville Highway, is dedicated to a jeweler and one-term mayor.

Bel Air, a summer community in Tallahassee, was named after its founder, Francis Hopkins Flagg. Flagg, a jeweler from Massachusetts, moved to Tallahassee in 1838 and opened a watch shop on Monroe Street. In 1847, he won $2,000 in the Louisiana lottery and used the winnings to purchase a home at 323 E. Park Ave. The house was originally built around 1840 by R.A. Shine using materials from the original Capitol. Flagg served as mayor in 1848 and later held positions on the city council and with the local railroad. He passed away in 1872, and the home was sold. In 1894, the house was acquired by the Chittenden family, who renovated and expanded it. The Chittendens still own the home, which is located at 323 E. Park Ave.

Lonnbladh Road in northeast Tallahassee is named after Leon Lonnbladh, who co-developed the Los Robles subdivision at Thomasville and Meridian Roads. Lonnbladh, a civil engineer born in Sweden, moved to the United States in 1901. He came to Tallahassee in 1924 to work on a railroad project but stayed and became a land developer. In 1926, he and Albert Thornton developed the Los Robles subdivision with a Mediterranean theme. Lonnbladh passed away in 1952 at his Los Robles home.

Macomb Street, previously a prominent street in Black Frenchtown, is named after David Macomb, an early resident of Tallahassee. Macomb organized the city’s first Fourth of July celebration in 1826 and delivered a speech at the completion of the first Capitol building. He was also involved in establishing St. John’s Episcopal Church and served as one of Leon County’s first county judges. Macomb passed away in 1837.

Campbell Park is named after Dr. Alpha Omega Campbell, a well-known Black physician in Tallahassee. Despite his successful medical career, Campbell faced legal issues in 1955 related to performing illegal abortions. He denied the charges and the case continued into 1956.

Alpha Omega Campbell, a renowned Black physician in 20th century Tallahassee, was convicted of manslaughter and two counts of performing illegal abortions. He was sentenced to four years in prison and was released in 1959 at the age of 67. Despite his attempts to have his medical license reinstated, he was unsuccessful and passed away in 1977. Campbell Pond Park, located at the end of Shoreline Drive off the Woodville Highway, is named in his honor.

Originally from Gadsden County, Campbell treated both white and Black patients and managed a private hospital for African Americans on W. Virginia Street. His success enabled him to acquire a significant amount of land near the present-day park. The streets in the southside area, such as Alpha, Omega, Zillah, and Gaile, are named after Campbell, his daughter, granddaughter, and the many babies he delivered.

In a notable incident in 1955, Campbell was indicted in the death of a white woman following an illegal abortion. Despite his claims that the woman sought his help after a failed abortion by another doctor, he was convicted of manslaughter, served a four-year prison sentence, and lost his medical license. The city bought the land for the park in 1981, following Campbell’s passing in 1977.

The Palmer Munroe Teen Center on Jackson Bluff Road is named after Palmer “Doc” Munroe, a former assistant city manager known for his dedication to the community. Munroe, who passed away in 1963 at the age of 55, was praised for his accessibility and commitment to underprivileged neighborhoods. His legacy is remembered through the center, which reopened as Tallahassee’s first teen center in 2010 after a period of closure due to budget cuts.

Lipona is a fabricated name for a plantation owned by Prince Achille Murat in Jefferson County. Murat, the nephew of Napoleon, lived on the estate named Lipona for 22 years before his passing. The widow of Murat resided in a Tallahassee home known as Belle Vue. Streets in the area, including Prince, Murat, and Belle Vue, are named in honor of the couple, while Lipona is derived from an anagram of Napoli, the Italian spelling of Naples, which was the prince’s title.

Syde Deeb was honored with the naming of two streets located behind the former Tallahassee Democrat building. Tom Nugent was renowned for his coaching innovation at Virginia Military Institute, FSU, and Maryland, where he introduced the I-formation and other offensive strategies still used today. Nugent, who coached FSU from 1953-1958 and counted Lee Corso and Burt Reynolds among his players, led the program to significant victories over Tennessee and Miami and advocated for an annual game against Florida. The first matchup took place on Nov. 22, 1958, with Florida emerging victorious despite FSU scoring a touchdown on the opening drive. Nugent and his wife, Peg, spent their later years in Tallahassee until their passing in 2002 and 2006, respectively.

Waldo Palmer Lane, located near the Florida Sheriffs Association off Mahan Drive, is named in memory of the late Tallahassee veterinarian, Waldo Palmer. Originally from Camilla, Ga., Palmer earned degrees from the University of Georgia and practiced as a veterinarian in Miami before relocating to Tallahassee in 1952. He co-ran an animal clinic on South Monroe Street and later established Palmer Animal Hospital on six acres off Mahan Drive in 1961. Palmer continued to operate the clinic until his passing from cancer at age 52 in 1979. His widow, Sharon Palmer, and their four children developed the property in the mid-1990s, with the entrance road named in honor of Palmer. The property now houses various businesses, including an animal hospital within Palmer’s original building.

Saint George, an island located 80 miles southwest of Tallahassee, has been a popular destination for beach enthusiasts since ancient times. Originally named San George by early Spanish explorers, with the expedition of Panfilo Narvaez believed to be the first Europeans to visit the island. The island was once 28 miles long until it was split in 1957 by the dredging of the Bob Sikes Cut. The western portion, known as Little St. George, remains uninhabited, while the larger eastern part, Big St. George, is a sought-after vacation spot boasting a 9-mile state park. Accessibility to the island improved in 1965 with the construction of a toll bridge and causeway from Eastpoint. The toll was discontinued in 1992 after the bridge’s cost was covered. In 2004, a new 4.1-mile bridge replaced the original structure, and in 2008, the historic lighthouse on Little St. George was relocated to the center of the main St. George Island.

Brevard Street, a prominent east-west thoroughfare passing by the Governor’s Mansion and The Grove, pays tribute to the distinguished Brevard family of Tallahassee. Theodore Washington Brevard, a native of North Carolina who settled in Florida in 1847, served as the state comptroller from

A prominent figure in Tallahassee, this individual served as an attorney, state legislator, and state inspector general. He made history as the final Confederate officer to be promoted to general during the Civil War, ultimately being captured by Union General George Armstrong Custer towards the war’s end.

Married to the daughter of Florida territorial governor Richard Keith Call, who constructed The Grove, Brevard Jr., who passed away in 1882, was also the father of Caroline Brevard, after whom a Tallahassee elementary school was named.

Flastacowo Road, often mistaken as a Native American moniker by present-day FSU students, is actually a phonetic abbreviation for Florida State College for Women, the former name of Florida State University from 1909 to 1947 before it transitioned to a co-ed institution. This term was utilized at FSCW for various entities like the Seminole Reservation, the yearbook, and alumni clubs established by female graduates.

Sealey Elementary Math and Science Magnet School, situated on Allen Road near the Tallahassee Mall, originated on E. Seventh Ave. It was initially known as Sealey Memorial Elementary in honor of Romero Mitchell Sealey.

Delving into Tallahassee’s history reveals that the original Sealey Elementary, located on Seventh Avenue and now housing the Tallahassee Police Department, was dedicated to the memory of Romero Sealey, a former principal at Leon High. Sealey, who had previously served as a principal in Fort Myers, tragically passed away en route to a national education conference in 1928.

Dorman Hall at Florida State University pays tribute to Olivia Dorman, a respected professor and dean during the institution’s time as a women’s college. Arriving at Florida State College for Women in 1924, Dorman significantly impacted the school’s social rules and traditions, eventually assuming the role of Dean of Students.

In 1946, Dorman faced challenges enforcing FSCW’s policies, leading to her resignation in 1947 after the school’s transition to Florida State University. She returned to head the classics department, retiring in 1949 and passing away in 1958 at 66. Dorman Hall on West Jefferson Street was dedicated to her in 1959, but was later demolished in 2015 to make way for a new complex.

The Coleman Library at FAMU is named after Samuel Coleman, an alumnus and longtime Tallahassee mail carrier who tragically passed away in a car accident just before the library opened in 1949. Coleman was a dedicated FAMU graduate and alumni association leader.

Tucker Hall, once home to FAMU’s College of Journalism and Graphic Arts, is named in honor of Thomas DeSaille Tucker, the university’s first president. Tucker, born in Sierra Leone in 1844, played a significant role in shaping FAMU’s early years before his resignation in 1901.

Efferson Street, named after H. Manning Efferson, recognizes his contributions as a former dean and interim president at FAMU.

H. Manning Efferson, a native of South Carolina, obtained a master’s degree from Columbia before joining FAMU as a math instructor in 1924. Over the years, he held various roles such as head of the math department, dean of liberal arts, and dean of students. He also served as interim president between 1949 and 1950. Efferson oversaw several construction projects during his tenure, including the completion of the former FAMU Hospital. In 1950, Efferson was appointed as the first FAMU Dean of Administration by President George Gore. Following his retirement in the early 1960s, FAMU honored him by naming the student union building after him in 1975.

Efferson’s daughter, Victoria Efferson Warner, was a respected social worker, community activist, and FAMU professor who established the university’s School of Social Work. She passed away in 2006.

Sellers Street, a cul-de-sac off Pontiac Drive, is named after Calvin Collis “C.C.” Sellers, a prominent Tallahassee dairy farmer. Sellers operated a dairy farm from 1944 to 1954 in the area that now includes the Leon County Fairgrounds. In 1954, he sold the land to developer Syde Deeb, who named a street after Sellers behind the farmhouse where he lived. Sellers later relocated his dairy farm near Lake Jackson, operating it until the early 1980s. He passed away in 1983, and his wife Mary, who is currently 97 years old, was married to him for 47 years.

Wade Wehunt, originally from Tate, Georgia, became Tallahassee’s first director of pools in 1952. He oversaw the construction and operation of the city’s first three pools at Myers Park, Levy Park, and Dade Street Community Center. After his passing in 1975, the pool at Myers Park was named in his honor. Wehunt was known for his contributions to swimming lessons and water safety classes, serving as director of the local Red Cross for two decades. Additionally, he was involved in real estate development, played a key role in the Elks Club, and was an active community member for many years.

The Myers Park pool was dedicated to Wehunt in 1968 upon his retirement and he passed away in 1985. Gallows Hill, located on the site of the current Westcott Hall Administration Building at Florida State University, holds historical significance dating back to the early 19th century. In the fall of 1829 or 1830, an unidentified Black woman was convicted of killing her baby and was hanged on the hill where Westcott Hall now stands. In 1854, a male academy was built on Gallows Hill, later becoming the West Florida Seminary in 1857, the predecessor to FSU. Contrary to local legend, Tallahassee was not built on seven hills, but rather on various elevated points across the city, with Westcott Hall being one of the prominent landmarks in terms of elevation. Orr Drive at Florida A&M University is named after Herbert Roy Orr, a professor who served during World War II. Born in 1909, Orr was a valued faculty member at FAMU, teaching mechanical drawing and radio communications until his passing in 1943.

In 1943, he joined the U.S. Army and rose to the rank of captain in the Signal Corps, serving in the battle of Guadalcanal. He passed away in April 1944 at the age of 35 and was laid to rest in a national memorial cemetery in Hawaii. In 1938, he wed his colleague at FAMU, Ruth Bates. After his death, Ruth continued her career as an educator, teaching at FAMU Developmental Research School for 18 years and later in the Leon County school system until her passing in 1989.

Ruth’s niece, Carriemae Marquess, a retired FAMU professor, was recognized as one of the top 100 FAMU alumni of the 20th century. Marquess currently resides in the house her aunt built near the FAMU campus.

Calhoun Street, named after the 19th-century statesman John C. Calhoun, was historically lined with majestic oak trees. Notable for its 16 historic buildings, the street was at the center of a controversy in 1940 when some of its oak trees were cut down, leading to public outcry and the establishment of the “Live Oak Trail.” In 1979, North Calhoun Street was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

McLean Park, named after former Tallahassee City Commissioner Jack McLean Jr., was acquired by the city in 1985. Jack McLean Jr. served as a city commissioner from 1984 to 1992 and later became the city attorney for Quincy and eventually Quincy City Manager.

Gore Education Complex at Florida A&M University and Gore Avenue are named in honor of George W. Gore, who served as FAMU president from 1950 to 1968. Born on July 11, 1901, George W. Gore Jr. passed away on September 13, 1982.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in English and journalism from DePauw University, his master’s from Harvard University, and his Ph.D. from Columbia University. He joined the faculty of Tennessee A&I (now Tennessee State University) as a pioneer Black journalism instructor, eventually serving as dean for 23 years before moving to FAMU.

During his time at FAMU, Gore oversaw significant growth, with the construction of over 20 new buildings including the FAMU Hospital (1950) and FAMU Developmental Research School (1957). He established FAMU’s first university police force in 1952 and oversaw the transition from Florida A&M College to Florida A&M University in 1953, welcoming the first white student in 1964.

Gore’s tenure at FAMU is best known for the student-led demonstrations that played a crucial role in the Tallahassee civil rights movement, from bus boycotts in 1956 to lunch counter sit-ins in 1960 and theater protests in 1963. Despite pressure to suppress political dissent, Gore allowed his faculty and students freedom to participate, earning praise for his cautious approach.

After leaving FAMU, Gore returned to Nashville, where he passed away in 1982 at the age of 81.

Doug Burnette Park, located at Gaines Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard, was once a popular children’s playground in Tallahassee. Built in 1938 by the Works Progress Administration, the park featured various recreational facilities, including a softball diamond, a basketball court, swings, seesaws, and a tetherball pole. In recent years, the park has undergone renovations, including the addition of landscaping, benches, and the installation of the “Quark” sculpture by artist John Henry.

The Developmental Research School (DRS) at FAMU was originally named after prominent Black educator Lucy Moten in 1935. Lucy Moten, a renowned educator in the early 20th century, dedicated her career to maintaining high educational standards and discipline. FAMU’s DRS, originally known as Lucy Moten School, pays tribute to her legacy and contributions to teacher training for Black students. Lucy Moten’s impact on education and her commitment to excellence continue to be honored through the school’s name and mission.

From grades one through eight, which was the highest grade offered to Black students, the school expanded to include grades K-12 and was known as FAMU High. In 2009, FAMU High relocated to a new campus at Wahnish Way and Orange Avenue and was renamed FAMU DRS, although the historic Lucy Moten School building continued to be utilized for university office space.

Weems Road, which used to be a rural road connecting Mahan Drive to Tom Brown Park, was named after George Emerson Weems, a former state official who owned a cattle farm in the area. Weems, originally from Hillsboro, Tenn., and a University of Arkansas graduate, moved to South Florida in 1914 before coming to Tallahassee in 1933 as director of the newly established Milk Control Board. Following his time at the Beverage Commission from 1935 to 1937, Weems operated a cattle ranch and livestock market on Lake Lafayette until his passing in 1958.

The school and museum located off Tharpe Street are dedicated to John Gilmore Riley, a prominent early Black educator, community leader, and businessman in Tallahassee. Riley, born into slavery in 1857, worked as a teacher in various counties before serving as the principal of Lincoln High School for 33 years. Despite his modest income, Riley became a respected property owner and leader in the Black community. His former home is now the John G. Riley Center/African American Museum of History and Culture.

Goodbody Lane, a street near East Park Avenue, is named after Albert and Fannie Goodbody, who lived at the intersection of Park Avenue and the dirt trail that eventually became Goodbody Lane. Albert, an English native, was a justice of the peace in Tallahassee until his passing in 1936. Fannie was the great-great-granddaughter of Thomas Jefferson and the granddaughter of Francis Eppes, a key figure in Tallahassee’s history.

Frenchtown, once the commercial and residential hub of Tallahassee’s Black community, was centered around Brevard, Duval, Call, and Dewey streets. Despite long-standing lore suggesting the name originated from French farmers sent by the Marquis de Lafayette in 1831, the true origin remains a mystery.

The farmers never actually came to Tallahassee, revealing an interesting backstory about Frenchtown. The neighborhood could have been named after Jourdan Frenchy, a mulatto carpenter who constructed many early houses there. Alternatively, Frenchtown may have been named after Frenchtown, N.J., known for an infamous War of 1812 massacre and as a stronghold of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, whose preachers often visited Tallahassee.

In present times, Frenchtown has seen most businesses depart, but it now houses numerous new residences and the city’s Renaissance Center. The community is struggling to survive and preserve its history, facing pressure from student housing developments.

Moving on to Killearn Estates, where a unique blend of Scottish and Irish influence can be found. Despite its name, most streets in this groundbreaking subdivision bear Irish names, a source of early controversy with the family who introduced the name to Tallahassee. Originally a Leon County hunting plantation purchased by New York financier Alfred Barmore Maclay in 1923, the area was transformed into Killearn Gardens, named after Maclay’s ancestral home in Scotland. Louise Maclay later donated the gardens to the state, and in 1964, J.T. Williams developed Killearn Estates with streets named after Irish heritage, prompting a renaming of the gardens to Maclay Gardens.

Hays Street, stretching from Belmont Drive to Oak Street, holds historical significance as it was named after Jesse Hays, a notable figure in Tallahassee’s past. Hays, who managed the city’s first phone company and later oversaw engineering projects in the Everglades, built a Queen Anne style house on Park Avenue in 1910. The house eventually became the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation.

Saxon Street, running through a predominantly Black community near Florida A&M University, is named after George Washington Saxon, a prominent early white businessman in Tallahassee. Saxon, a Civil War veteran, founded what is now the Capital City Bank Group, Tallahassee’s oldest continuously operating business. Known for his real estate ventures, Saxon also donated land for the Florida Governor’s Mansion and played a significant role in the development of Tallahassee and the Big Bend region.

Saxon, a prominent figure in the communities of St. Teresa, Lanark Village, and St. George Island from 1910 to 1921, passed away in 1935. He was a co-founder of Tallahassee’s first telephone company in 1895. Among his descendants are Tallahassee attorneys Duby Ausley and Palmer Proctor.

Henry Grady Easterwood was a notable figure who served on both city and county commissions concurrently. Easterwood Drive, leading into Tom Brown Park, is named after him. He was the only person to sit on both the Tallahassee City Commission and the Leon County Commission simultaneously. Born in 1900 in Alabama, Easterwood moved to Tallahassee in 1930. He worked for the Seaboard Rail Line for 16 years before becoming a co-owner of a furniture store. Easterwood was elected to a five-year term on the city commission in 1950, coinciding with the commission’s expansion to five members.

In 1951, Easterwood was part of a group of city commissioners who unsuccessfully attempted to sell the city-owned electric company to a private entity. They also removed city manager Malcolm Yancey from his position and appointed Arvah Hopkins in his place. Easterwood became mayor in 1954 and was elected to the county commission the same year. He served on both commissions concurrently, a rare feat. Easterwood served on the county commission for 11 years, notably opposing the city’s sale of Capital City Country Club in 1956 to prevent racial integration. He passed away while still in office in 1966.

Opperman Music Hall, a 442-seat recital hall at Florida State University, honors Ella Scoble Opperman, the first dean of the College of Music. Opperman established the modern College of Music during her tenure at Florida State College for Women, where she headed the music department starting in 1911. An accomplished pianist and organist, Opperman received her degrees from Wesleyan College in Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. She furthered her studies in piano in Berlin and Paris before returning to teach at her alma mater.

Opperman transformed the music department from a program that granted teaching certificates to a full-fledged degree program. In 1920, she became the first dean of the College of Music and was recognized as a leading music educator in the country until her retirement in 1944. Opperman initially opposed the formation of the College of Music’s marching band, but the band became an official class in 1946, four years after her retirement.

The school transitioned to co-education and the band was given the name Marching Chiefs. Opperman passed away at the age of 95 on March 4, 1969 — the same day as the notorious Night of the Bayonets, where armed Leon County sheriff’s deputies lined Tennessee Street during a protest by the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at the FSU Student Union.
Adams Street, which was almost named Palm Avenue, is one of the oldest and main streets in Tallahassee. It is named after the sixth U.S. President, John Quincy Adams. Adams was the Secretary of State under President James Monroe when Tallahassee was established in 1824 and the city’s main roads were named after them. As Secretary of State, Adams negotiated the purchase of Florida from Spain in 1819. Adams became President in 1825 after a House of Representatives election since no candidate had a majority of electoral votes, but he was defeated for a second term. Adams Street, lined with businesses and homes, ran from the Governor’s Mansion and Capitol to the coast. All four Tallahassee City Hall buildings were located on Adams Street. In 1921, palm trees were planted along Adams Street and there was a proposal to change the name to Palm Avenue, but this plan was later abandoned to continue honoring John Quincy Adams. Since 1927, Adams Street has been the dividing line for addresses in Tallahassee. In 1972, Adams Street was permanently closed at Pensacola Street as the new capitol was constructed on that site.
Ruby Diamond Auditorium, named after FSU benefactor Ruby Pearl Diamond, was a native of Tallahassee who graduated from the Florida State College for Women in 1905. Diamond was a longtime resident of Tallahassee and a benefactor for FSU, Temple Israel, and the community. She lived at the Floridan Hotel for 50 years and later at the Hilton. Diamond donated land to FSU in 1970, leading to the naming of the auditorium in Westcott Hall in her honor. The auditorium, initially constructed in 1911 and later rebuilt in 1954, underwent renovations in 2008 and reopened with a performance by B.B. King. Ruby Diamond passed away in 1982 at the age of 95.
Bull Headley Road is named after Julien Christian “Bull” Headley, a pioneer of Killearn Lakes and a rancher in Leon County during the 1950s and 1960s. His Bull Run Plantation on Lake Iamonia, encompassing today’s Golden Eagle and Killearn Lakes subdivisions, was where he managed cattle and timber operations.

The house was later renamed Kinhega Plantation. Julien “Bull” Headley, for whom a road in northeast Leon County is named. Bull Headley Road, off Bannerman Road in northern Leon County, is named for Julien Christian “Bull” Headley, who once owned the 4,000-acre plantation that later became the Killearn Lakes and Golden Eagle subdivisions.

Originally from Mississippi and raised in Kentucky, Headley came to Tallahassee in 1946 to engage in cattle and timber operations. In 1951, he purchased Water Oak Plantation on the south shore of Lake Iamonia, renamed it Bull Run Plantation, and constructed a residence.

In 1952, Headley deeded a dirt road along the boundary of his property from Bannerman Road to Lake Iamonia to Leon County. The county named the road Bull Headley Road, although it was not paved until 1982. Despite generations of Tallahasseeans pronouncing the road as Bull HED-ley Road, the family pronounces its last name HEED-ley.

Headley had five children with two spouses; two of his daughters, Jill Poole and Kirk Headley-Perdue, still reside in Tallahassee. In 1964, Headley sold Bull Run to a group of Louisiana investors who rebranded it as Kinhega Lodge and transformed it into a hunting preserve.

In 1985, the investors sold the plantation to Killearn Estates developer J.T. Williams, who developed Killearn Lakes. Kinhega, named after a Miccosukee chief, is still used for the home that Headley constructed and for one of the primary roads in Killearn Lakes.

Headley expanded his holdings in 1959 by acquiring property in British Honduras, now Belize, where he engaged in cattle and timber operations on 18,000 acres. In 1962, he relocated to Bermuda and divided his time between Belize and Bermuda; Headley renounced his U.S. citizenship in 1972.

An enterprising individual involved in various ventures, Headley converted a portion of his Belize property into a resort in the late 1980s. Known as Hidden Valley Inn, the resort featured numerous waterfalls, including Belize’s famous 1,000-foot Falls.

In 2001, Headley traded the waterfalls to Belize for additional timberland, which is now a national park. Headley, the youngest of four boys, earned his nickname as a young child when he was chased by a cow and sought refuge in the house, claiming he was being pursued by a “Bull.”

George Headley, the youngest of Headley’s five children, remarked, “Never was a nickname so apt.” Headley passed away in Belize in 2003 at the age of 87.

Beard Street, named for Welaunee Plantation owner’s granddaughter, Major

A year later, Robert Gamble purchased adjacent land and founded Welaunee Plantation in Jefferson County. The Gamble brothers later relocated to Tallahassee while managing their plantations in Jefferson County. John Gamble was the founder of the Union Bank, with Robert Gamble serving on the board. Robert Gamble’s son, Robert Howard Gamble, later served as Florida’s comptroller after the Civil War. Another son of John Gamble, also named Robert, established a plantation in Manatee County, which is now a state park.

Letitia Beard, named after her grandmother, married William Kelly Beard. Letitia Beard passed away at the age of 84 in 1921 and was laid to rest in Tallahassee’s St. John’s Episcopal cemetery.

Pond Now Covers Coal Chute Park

A stormwater treatment pond constructed for the FAMU Way extension now occupies the original site of Coal Chute Park, a historic Black community park. The four-acre pond is situated at the western end of the Railroad Square arts district, south of the nearby railroad tracks. Initially known as Villa Mitchell Park, the park was a hub for community activities such as basketball, softball, and football games, as well as hosting various events. In 1994, the city purchased the park, revamped it with new playground equipment, and renamed it Coal Chute Park. The area was believed to have been a stop for train locomotives to refuel with water and coal through a chute during the days of the sawmill.

Villa Mitchell was a suburban community developed in 1886 by C.L. Mitchell, located near Railroad Avenue, Gamble Street, and the railroad tracks before Lake Bradford Road. Streets in the neighborhood were named after notable figures of the time such as President Grover Cleveland and Florida Governor Edward Perry. The community thrived for approximately two decades until 1891 when Florida A&M University moved to its current location above Villa Mitchell, transforming the area into a predominantly Black residential neighborhood.

Upon the completion of FAMU Way, Coal Chute Park was replaced by a section of the Capital Cascades Trail, featuring a children’s play area adjacent to the stormwater pond.

Apalachee Parkway Named in Honor of Indigenous People

In this circa 1960 photograph, the more heavily tree-lined Old Capitol can be seen in the distance along Apalachee Parkway. The parkway pays homage to the Apalachee people, the original inhabitants of the region, and inspired the names of nearby Apalachicola city and the Appalachian Mountains.

The Apalachee tribe resided between the Aucilla and Ochlockonee rivers from the 1100s to 1700s, renowned for their agricultural skills and prowess in warfare. They first encountered Europeans during expeditions led by Spanish explorers Panfilo Narvaez and Hernando de Soto in the 1500s. Living with the Spanish at Mission San Luis

The name Apalachicola originates from the combination of “apalahchi” meaning “other side” and “okli” meaning “people,” referring to the “people who lived on the other side” of what is now the Apalachicola River. Historical reports from the Narvaez and DeSoto expeditions suggested that the Apalachee people inhabited areas as far north as the Appalachian Mountains, approximately 350 miles from Tallahassee. As early as 1563, Spanish cartographers began labeling the mountain range in present-day Georgia and North Carolina as the “Apalachen Mountains.”

A map depicting various Gulf Coast groups of Creek American Indians.

In 1957, Apalachee Parkway was named through a contest sponsored by a newspaper for the newly constructed road. Bill Yancey, a native of Tallahassee, submitted the name “Apalachee,” which was chosen as the winning entry due to being the earliest postmarked. The parkway runs through what is believed to be Anhaica, the primary village of the Apalachee people. The site of de Soto’s 1539-1540 winter encampment among the Apalachees is located one block south of the parkway.

Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, which commemorated its 75th anniversary in 2023, is named in honor of those who lost their lives during World War I and World War II. The hospital’s history dates back to limited medical facilities in the city, including a church and a hotel during the Civil War era, followed by segregated facilities for white and Black individuals in the early 1900s. The construction of Tallahassee Memorial Hospital began in 1948, eventually opening in 1949 as a municipally operated facility. Over the years, it transitioned into a private, non-profit corporation and was renamed Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center (TMRMC). In 1998, for its 50th anniversary, the hospital reverted to its original acronym, TMH, by renaming itself Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.

The building located at 1215 Thomasville Road, formerly the home of Tallahassee businessman Fred Carroll, has transformed over the years. Originally built in 1924, it served various purposes including a funeral home, a club, and restaurants such as Chez Pierre and The Front Porch. Renamed as Table 23, the two-story brick building underwent reconstruction in 1935 after a storm had damaged it.

Carroll Ice Company, Capital City Bakeries, a Georgia fertilizer and peanut company, and several local properties were owned by Carroll and his wife until their passing in the 1950s. Their children, Fred Carroll Jr. and Clara Jane Smith, later leased the building to various businesses, such as Bevis Funeral Home and the Lt. Governor’s Club, before selling it to Chez Pierre. The two large oaks on the front lawn were planted in 1936 after previous trees were removed due to construction on Thomasville Road.

Live Oak Plantation Road, named after former Governor John Branch’s property, was established near Tallahassee in the 1830s. The road runs between Thomasville Road and Meridian Road, reflecting the plantation that once stretched all the way to Lake Jackson. Originally spanning 10,000 acres, Live Oak was owned by Governor and U.S. Senator John Branch before passing through several owners, including Dr. Tennent Ronalds who built one of Tallahassee’s first golf courses on the property in 1903.

Lillian Ruediger Elementary School commemorates the legacy of Lillian Josephine Cross Ruediger, a former educator and administrator in Leon County Schools. Ruediger, previously a teacher at Florida High and supervisor of elementary schools, tragically passed away before she could resume her teaching career. The school was named in her honor when it opened in 1955 alongside Griffin Middle School.

The former residence of Florida’s 24th governor, John Martin, now serves as the state Bureau of Archaeological Research. The site was discovered to be part of Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto’s winter encampment in 1987. The Gov. Martin House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is where the first Christmas in the United States (1539) is believed to have been celebrated by the Spaniards. Governor Martin built the brick hunting lodge style home in 1934, and it remains an important historical site today.

The Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research. Martin, a former mayor of Jacksonville, served as governor of Florida from 1925 to 1929. During his tenure, he oversaw the peak and decline of the Florida land boom. Martin played a key role in the development of state highways and successfully advocated for an amendment to the state constitution permitting state funding for public elementary schools. In 1925, a new State Road Department building was erected and named after him at 300 S. Adams St. This building later served as Tallahassee City Hall from 1964 to 1982 and remains the current City Hall location. Following unsuccessful runs for the U.S. Senate in 1928 and for governor in 1932, Martin sold his Tallahassee property in 1941 and passed away in Jacksonville in 1958.

Cobb, after whom Elizabeth DeBerry Cobb Middle School in Tallahassee is named, was the first principal of Caroline Brevard Elementary School. A Tallahassee native, Cobb began her teaching career in 1915 at Leon High School. She later became the principal of Tallahassee’s first elementary-only school, Caroline Brevard Elementary, in 1925. After serving as the supervisor of Leon County Schools, Cobb moved on to work at the Ruge Episcopal Center at Florida State University and teach at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Cobb Junior High, now known as Cobb Middle School, was established in 1954 in her honor. Cobb, affectionately known as “Bessie,” resided in the Bradford-Cobb House until her passing in 1974 at the age of 96.

Kate Sullivan, a beloved teacher in Tallahassee for 45 years, is the namesake of Kate Sullivan Elementary School. A native of Tallahassee and graduate of Florida State College, Sullivan spent much of her teaching career at Caroline Brevard Elementary School. Following her retirement in 1948, Kate Sullivan Elementary and Wesson Elementary were opened in 1948 as the city’s third and fourth elementary schools. Sullivan, who specialized in English, was highly regarded by her students, with several prominent former pupils, including Gov. LeRoy Collins, serving as pallbearers at her funeral in 1953. Sullivan and her sister, Mattie, who never married, resided at 503 Beard Street, and furniture from their home is now on display at Goodwood Museum & Gardens.

Chapman Pond, a two-acre park and pond located in the Myers Park neighborhood at Merritt and Circle drives, is named after former Florida Supreme Court Justice Roy H. Chapman. A Lake City native, Chapman attended the University of Florida and Stetson Law School before practicing law with Fred Cone in Lake City. Cone, who later became the 27th governor of Florida, nominated Chapman to the Supreme Court in 1937. Chapman, who served on the court from 1945 to 1947, formerly lived

Chief Justice Chapman served on the court until his passing in 1952. In the 19th century, Chapman Pond was one of three ponds on the Houstoun family’s Lakeland Plantation, originally known as Wash Pond where plantation slaves did laundry. Over the years, it was also referred to as Mosley Pond, DuVal Pond, Duck Pond, and Sylvan Pond until it was officially named for Chapman on April 28, 1953.

Dorothy B. Oven Park, a seven-acre park located on Thomasville Road just south of I-10, gained recognition in the 1930s as Camellia Gardens, a large commercial camellia nursery. The manor house, designed in 1936 by Alfred B. Maclay for Camellia Gardens co-owner Breckenridge Gamble, was later donated to the city of Tallahassee by Dorothy Oven’s husband, Will Oven, upon her passing in 1985. The park features a fire station, and the house is used for various events. During Christmas, the park draws crowds with its festive holiday decorations.

Carroll’s Quarters, named for Black female owner Alberta Oliver, was a significant part of the neighborhood where remnants of Oliver’s Grocery store building could still be seen in 2013. Carroll’s Quarters was a historic black enclave in Tallahassee, with various other quarters like Gray’s Quarters and Council Quarters existing as well. The area around Carroll’s Quarters was owned by Annie Carroll and later operated by Alberta Oliver, and her granddaughter Gwen Oliver Parker.

Trimble Road, which links Tharpe Street and Hartsfield Road on Tallahassee’s west side, is named after Jesse Trimble, a hardware store owner who played a pivotal role in developing the neighborhood. Originally from Sandy Springs, Georgia, Trimble moved to Tallahassee in 1920 and later became a partner in a local hardware store. He built one of the first homes on Trimble Road, and his legacy continues to live on through the street named in his honor.

Located on the southwest corner of Monroe Street and Seventh Avenue, Trimble’s store was sold in 1959 to Nick Eppes and Henry Edenfield, who ran Eppes-Edenfield Hardware until 1995. Trimble, who retired in 1959, later built a home on 10 acres of land that was once a pecan grove. The county improved the dirt trail from Tharpe Street to Trimble’s home, which was named Trimble Road by county road foreman Aubry Ott. Trimble passed away in 1979, and his son, Jesse Trimble Jr., a retired custodian from Leon County Schools, resided in the home he built next to his father’s since 1965.

Appleyard Drive, named after Thomas Jefferson Appleyard, a Confederate Navy man, newspaper owner, and government official, was established to honor his contributions. Appleyard served as the secretary of the Florida Senate from 1895 to 1905 and later became the state printer. He published the weekly Florida Record newspaper and during legislative sessions in 1913, 1915, 1917, and 1919, he published the Record as the daily Florida Morning News newspaper. Appleyard passed away in 1931, and the printing company he operated was sold to Rose Printing Company.

Wakulla County, established on March 11, 1843, derives its name from Wakulla Springs, its most renowned feature. The springs captivated early Native Americans and Spanish explorers, with different interpretations of the name’s origin. Some say it means “mysterious waters,” while experts suggest the original Timucuan town name remains a mystery.

Originally known as Boulevard Street, Martin Luther King Boulevard was renamed to honor the civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. due to its proximity to Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, where C.K. Steele, one of King’s associates, served as pastor. The name change was implemented gradually, with the south half renamed in 1980 and the rest later.

Freedom is not easily granted: Reflecting on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s visit to Tallahassee

Dr. John Kent Johnston, a native of Tallahassee and a physician, established the city’s first hospital in 1924. Located at 805 N. Gadsden, the hospital served the community until 1964. A street spanning one block between Thomasville Road and North Gadsden Street was named in honor of Johnston.

Dr. John Kent Johnston, who founded Tallahassee’s inaugural hospital at 805 N. Gadsden St., is commemorated by a one-block street extending from Thomasville Road to North Gadsden Street.

Hailing from Tallahassee, Johnston was a graduate of the West Florida Seminary (predecessor of FSU) and was involved in Tallahassee’s first airplane venture in the 1920s alongside Ivan Munroe and Theo Proctor. The Johnston Sanitarium, with 12 beds, commenced operations in July 1924 and continued until 1944, following Johnston’s passing.

In November 1947, the establishment transitioned into the Forsyth Sanitarium under the management of the Seventh Day Adventists, named after Edna Forsyth, a dentist from Central Florida who generously contributed the $51,000 required for the purchase.

Subsequently, the Forsyth Sanitarium closed in 1964, and the building housed the Leon County Guidance Center (1969-1972), the Apalachee Mental Health Clinic (1973-1986), and legal offices before becoming the headquarters of Moore Bass Consulting in 1997.

Pensacola Street, one of Tallahassee’s earliest paved roads, derives its name from the city it leads to. Originally constructed between 1916 and 1918, the street extended westward from Monroe Street to the vicinity of present-day Appleyard Drive.

With the establishment of Tallahassee’s premier airport near Appleyard Drive in 1928-29, Pensacola Street underwent repaving, and a bridge was erected over a marshy area that eventually became the location of Doak Campbell Stadium in 1950.

A notable event at Campbell Stadium was the inaugural Florida-Florida State football game in Tallahassee on Nov. 21, 1964, which attracted a record crowd of 43,000 spectators and over 3,000 vehicles. In an aerial view of the game looking west, Pensacola Street (on the right) and Stadium Drive (on the left) framed the stadium. Trains transporting fans to the game are visible, utilizing tracks underneath the former Pensacola Street bridge.

By the 1960s, Pensacola Street had been extended to connect with State Road 20, spanning North Florida from Palatka to Niceville (30 miles east of Pensacola). The Pensacola Street bridge was removed in 2002 with the street’s rer

Calvin Phillips, a renowned architect from New York, designed and built two remarkable structures in Tallahassee before his death in 1919. The first was a clock tower on South Macomb Street, which was sadly torn down in the late 1970s or early 1980s by new property owners. The second was a mausoleum at Oakland Cemetery, where Phillips was laid to rest.

Phillips, known for his eccentricities and long white beard, retired to Tallahassee in 1907 and quickly made a name for himself in the community. He constructed a small home and the iconic 30-foot-tall clock tower at 815 S. Macomb St. By 1910, he had completed the mausoleum, where he spent many nights during its construction. Phillips passed away in November 1919, and although his family never joined him in the mausoleum, it was designed to accommodate four caskets.

Over the years, the clock tower was demolished, and in 2000, the mausoleum was vandalized, with Phillips’ skull taken from his casket and never recovered. Tallahassee locals who had encountered Phillips described him as a lean man with a flowing white beard, leading to ghost stories about his haunting presence.

In another part of Tallahassee, John Knox Road pays tribute to the Presbyterian founder of the same name. Originally a service road leading to Faith Presbyterian Church, it was extended over the years and now forms a significant intersection with North Monroe Street and Monticello Drive near the Tallahassee Mall.

The legacy of legendary Florida A&M football coach Jake Gaither, who passed away 30 years ago, lives on through various landmarks in Tallahassee named in his honor. Born Alonzo Smith Gaither, he earned the nickname “Jake” during his college years and embraced it. Gaither served as the head football coach at FAMU from 1945 to 1969, achieving remarkable success with seven Black national championships and three unbeaten seasons. He was revered for his coaching prowess and was inducted into the College Hall of Fame.

Gaither, who was the first in the South to pit a predominantly Black school against a predominantly white school, sent numerous players to the NFL, including Willie Galimore, Ken Riley, and Bob Hayes. Known for his memorable lines such as, “I want my players hostile, agile, and mobile,” Gaither passed away on February 18, 1994, at the age of 90. His beloved wife, Sadie, whom he was married to for 62 years, passed away in 1997 at the age of 92.

Hayden Road, a street filled with apartments and condos overlooking Florida State University’s Doak Campbell Stadium, is believed to be named after a former professor and his wife. Edwin Andrew Hayden, a popular philosophy and psychology professor at Florida State College for Women, dazzled students with his experiments but tragically died by suicide in 1921 at the age of 51. His wife, Clara, who never remarried, worked as FSCW’s chief library assistant for 25 years until her passing in 1970. Hayden Road is also known for Burt Reynolds Hall, which used to be a dorm for the football team until 1995 when NCAA rules changed.

Wilson Street, located in the Lafayette Park neighborhood between Meridian Street and Miccosukee Road, is named after William H. Wilson, a Tallahassee contractor and developer of St. George Island. Born in Thomas County, Georgia, Wilson founded Wilson Construction and Supply Company in 1922, building many homes in Lafayette Park. He was also instrumental in the development of St. George Island and the construction of the Bryant Patton Bridge in 1965. Wilson also owned Wilson Beach Cottages at St. Teresa Beach, originally built for World War II Army officers.

The LeMoyne Center for the Visual Arts is named after Jacques le Moyne de Morgues, a French artist who painted pictures of Florida Native Americans in 1564 during an expedition with French explorer Jean Ribault.

In the 1560s, Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues painted many watercolors depicting the indigenous Timucuan Indians of Florida, creating iconic images of the state’s early residents. These paintings are the earliest known European depictions of Native Americans in the United States.

The LeMoyne Art Foundation was established in 1963 by Nanette Fisher, Clifton Lewis, Mary Metzke, and June Strauss, all from Tallahassee. The foundation initially opened its gallery in 1964 at the former Deeb House on the corner of Calhoun Street and College Avenue. In 1968, the foundation relocated to its current home at the historic Meginnis-Munroe House on 125 N. Gadsden St.

Wesson Elementary School, originally named after Leonard Wesson, was once a school district’s multi-use center named R.N. Gooden-Nancy Russell Center at Wesson. The school had various names throughout its history and was eventually converted into the Gooden-Russell Center in 2006.

Lake Ella, previously known as Bull Pond, was a significant site for baptisms, celebrations, and fishing. In the 1930s, it was renamed Lake Ella by William Anderson’s wife. Over the years, it has evolved into Fred Drake Park at Lake Ella, a popular recreational spot with amenities like a sidewalk, gazebo, and aerating fountains.

Tom Brown Park, a 255-acre park, was previously federal land that was given to the county in 1972 and named after County Commissioner Tom Brown, a local businessman and sports enthusiast. Brown’s contributions to the community and sports are remembered through the park’s name.

Tom Brown was not only a dedicated football coach but also an esteemed Babe Ruth League baseball coach known for his exceptional skills at first base in city league softball games, even playing without a glove. The county initially constructed the main section of Tom Brown Park, now managed by the city. This park, a fitting tribute to Tom Brown, boasts numerous softball and baseball fields, racquet and tennis courts, a disc golf course, a 3.1-mile bike trail, nature trails, and a designated area for dogs to play.

Jonathan Clarkson Gibbs, the first Black Secretary of State of Florida, is honored through various landmarks, including a street in Tallahassee, a dormitory at Florida A&M University, and a high school in St. Petersburg. Born in 1821 in Philadelphia, Gibbs was a free Black man who graduated from Dartmouth College and later became a minister. Following the Civil War, he moved to Charleston as a missionary and eventually settled in Jacksonville, where he played a crucial role in Reconstruction politics. As Secretary of State, Gibbs led investigations into the Ku Klux Klan and served on the Tallahassee City Council until his passing in 1874. His son, Thomas Van Renssalaer Gibbs, co-founded FAMU in 1887.

Raymond Diehl Sr., a prominent businessman and developer, is commemorated with Raymond Diehl Road in Tallahassee. Diehl, initially a pipefitter who later ventured into real estate and liquor sales after Leon County residents approved liquor sales in 1960, left a lasting impact on the community. His wife, O’Neill Diehl, ran a beloved children’s clothing store, while his son, Raymond Jr., established liquor stores later acquired by the ABC Liquor chain. Raymond Diehl Jr. and his wife, June, developed the Betton Place shopping center, where June operated a renowned clothing store for nearly two decades.

Gaines Street, a prominent roadway in Tallahassee, is named in honor of Gen. Edmund Pendleton Gaines, a distinguished U.S. Army general from the 19th century. Born in Virginia in 1777, Gaines made significant contributions to the military, including surveying Mississippi and constructing the Natchez Trace road. The street bearing his name underwent recent renovations to make it more pedestrian-friendly, preserving the legacy of this revered military leader.

In 1807, General Gaines arrested former U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr in Alabama on charges of treason and brought him to Richmond, Virginia. Burr was later acquitted in a trial. Gaines went on to become a celebrated figure in the War of 1812, successfully defending Fort Erie against the British. He played significant roles in the Seminole Wars and was known for his fair treatment of Native American tribes, opposing their forced removal from their lands. Gaines was honored with the naming of various locations, including cities like Gainesville in Florida, Texas, and Georgia, as well as Fort Gaines near Mobile. He passed away in 1849.

Colonel Edmund Pendleton Gaines, possibly a descendant of the general, served as a base commander at Dale Mabry Field during World War II. He gained attention in 1943 for threatening to restrict military personnel from Tallahassee due to a venereal disease outbreak. This epidemic affected Florida as it became a major training ground during the war. Gaines called for more aggressive measures to control the spread of the disease.

The historic Brokaw-McDougall House, located at Meridian Street and Miccosukee Road, was built by businessman Peres Bonney Brokaw in the mid-19th century. The house has been under various management, including the city of Tallahassee and the Florida Department of State. It was returned to state management in 2012 after being leased by the city since 1998. Brokaw, a prominent figure in Tallahassee, served in various capacities in both local and state government. The house remained in the family until it was sold to the state in 1973.

The Cherokee Hotel, where musician Jim Morrison stayed in 1963, stood on the corner of Park Avenue and Calhoun Street in Tallahassee. Built in 1922, the hotel was demolished in 1964.

The recent pardon of the late rock icon Jim Morrison by Governor Charlie Crist for a 1969 Miami conviction sparked curiosity among many readers: Where exactly was the Cherokee Hotel located? Morrison had provided the address “Room 206, Cherokee Hotel” to the Tallahassee police in September 1963 when he was arrested for disturbing the peace while attending FSU. For local residents familiar with the area, the 4-story Cherokee Hotel stood at the southwest corner of Park Avenue and Calhoun Street, across from the Knott House. Erected in 1922, the Cherokee Hotel was demolished in 1964. It likely served as a temporary residence for Morrison in 1963 as he sought accommodation following his move from St. Petersburg Junior College to FSU just days before classes began.

Nylic Street, a shortened version of a business associated with Howell Wadsworth, was named after the developer and insurance agent, who passed away in 1985. Wadsworth, a prominent figure in Tallahassee real estate, owned land at West Tennessee and Brevard streets. He played a significant role in creating a housing development there in the early 1950s. Streets in a small neighborhood near FSU bear the names of developers like Wadsworth and insurance company affiliations. Wadsworth Street, Hancock Street (named after Melvin Hancock, Wadsworth’s development partner), and Nylic Street (representing New York Life Insurance Company, for whom Wadsworth worked for 40 years) are among these.

Wadsworth held various land parcels in Tallahassee, including locations that now house Riley Elementary School (land donated by Wadsworth), the Callen neighborhood, Fourth Quarter restaurant, and a downtown square on Tennessee Street. His late wife, Alice, was the sister of former Florida Governor LeRoy Collins, while his son, Murray Wadsworth, is a respected attorney in Tallahassee. Lawrence and Isabella Edenfield, who allowed townspeople to cultivate vegetable gardens on their property on Edenfield Road, have left a lasting legacy. Lawrence, a former educator and principal, worked for the state Department of Education, while Isabella taught at Leon High and FSU. The couple purchased a 90-acre plot at the intersection of Miccosukee Road and Edenfield Road in the late 1940s, launching a gardening program that supported students, residents, and professionals in growing vegetables. This initiative, which continued until Lawrence and Isabella passed away in 1979, was a testament to their generosity and community spirit. The Edenfields’ farmhouse, now on Berklie Drive, stands as a reminder of their contributions. In Mabry Manor, streets bear names reminiscent of World War II, reflecting historical significance and honoring the past.

The streets within the area were not initially named after military personnel when it served as the base for Dale Mabry Air Field from 1941 to 1945. After the Army Air Corps base closed, the land was returned to the city and later transferred to FSU as its West Campus from 1946 to 1956. Subsequently, in 1952, the city renamed the streets at the request of the U.S. post office, honoring notable U.S. military figures like Dwight Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur, Hap Arnold, Matthew Ridgway, and George Patton. One street, Nininger Street, was dedicated to Army Lt. Alexander Nininger, the first World War II Medal of Honor recipient. The former base site eventually became the Mabry Manor housing subdivision and Sabal Palm Elementary School. Nearby, Seminole Manor, a housing development built by Syde Deeb from 1948 to 1950, was established off Roberts Avenue.

Duval Street, a prominent north-south road in downtown Tallahassee, as well as Duval County in Jacksonville, is named after William Pope DuVal, the first civilian territorial governor of Florida. DuVal, who served as governor from 1822 to 1834, played a significant role in designating Tallahassee as the capital of Florida.

Red Barber Way, encircling the WFSU television and radio studios and a camellia garden in the downtown Chain of Parks, commemorates the renowned major league baseball announcer Walter “Red” Barber. Barber, known for his colorful broadcasting style and popularizing terms like “rhubarb” and “sitting in the catbird seat,” lived in Tallahassee for the last two decades of his life. Apart from his broadcasting career, Barber was also an author, columnist for the Tallahassee Democrat, and a regular contributor to NPR’s “Morning Edition.”

Bloxham, a Tallahassee native and Florida’s first two-term governor, is honored with a park, street, and building in the city. William Dunnington Bloxham, who served as governor from 1881 to 1885 and then from 1897 to 1901, played a key role in the financial stability of the state by selling off a significant portion of the Everglades. Additionally, he advocated for the establishment of what later became Florida A&M University. Bloxham passed away in 1911 and is interred at St. John’s Cemetery.

Bloxham Park is located between Monroe and Calhoun streets within the Park Avenue chain of parks. Bloxham Street stretches from Gadsden Street to M.L. King Boulevard. The Bloxham Building, situated in the 700 block of South Calhoun Street, was previously known as Caroline Brevard Elementary School.

Originally named Clinton Street, College Avenue serves as a main thoroughfare from downtown to the gates of Florida State University. It was renamed College Avenue in 1916, having been paved and widened by 1912, adorned with oak trees and grand homes which have since been replaced by businesses and sorority/fraternity houses.

Neamathla, a prominent Creek Indian leader, played a significant role in Tallahassee’s history. A residential street in northeast Leon County bears his name in honor of his contributions to allowing Tallahassee to become the capital of Florida. Neamathla was instrumental in the negotiation of the Treaty of Moultrie Creek in 1823, which sought to relocate Seminoles within Florida.

Chief John Blount, after whom Blountstown is named, was a revered Seminole leader. A bust of Chief John Blount was crafted by local artist Clifford Leonard and presented to the Calhoun County library in 2013.

Named after Seminole chief John Blount, Blountstown is located near his former reservation. Blount, who assisted Andrew Jackson during the first Seminole War, was one of two chiefs exempt from the Moultrie Creek Treaty. Despite his loyalty to the United States, he faced attacks from fellow Seminoles, leading to his relocation to Texas in 1834, where he passed away. Originally known as Laufauka, meaning “One Who Endures,” he adopted the name Blount due to similarities with William Blount, a prominent figure in Tennessee history. The area also features landmarks like the Blountstown Highway and Blount Street in Tallahassee.

The Neil Kirkman Building honors Col. Neil Kirkman, a war veteran and founding director of the Florida Highway Patrol. Appointed as FHP commander in 1939, he played a key role in its growth to over 2,300 officers. The Kirkman building, completed in 1958, stands as a tribute to his contributions. Arvah Hopkins, another notable figure, served as Tallahassee city manager and oversaw various projects, including the establishment of the city-owned utility company. His legacy is commemorated through the electric power generating station, Arvah Branch housing development, and Arvah Branch creek.

St. Teresa Beach, settled in 1873, was named after Teresa Hopkins, daughter of Arvah Hopkins, who was one of the landholders in the area. During World War II, it served as a training site and was later renamed Camp Gordon Johnston. The addition of “Saint” to its name remains a mystery. Located southwest of Tallahassee, St. Teresa Beach has a rich history intertwined with the Hopkins family and prominent landowners.

The heart of the development, referred to as Old St. Teresa, comprises 15 lots along the bay and another 15 lots situated behind them. During World War II, these homes were rented out to Army officers from nearby Camp Gordon Johnston. One notable figure associated with this area is Dempsey Mayo, a Florida Supreme Court marshal and landowner. Dempsey Mayo Road, a one-mile stretch connecting Mahan Drive to Miccosukee Road, is named after him. Mayo, born in Ocala in 1919, moved to Tallahassee in 1936 to work as an auditor. Following his service in the Army during World War II, he returned to Tallahassee and worked for the state’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Mayo eventually became the marshal of the Florida Supreme Court from 1949 to 1974 and passed away on June 19, 1981. During his 25-year tenure as marshal, Mayo oversaw the security, maintenance, and purchasing for the Supreme Court building. He also accumulated a significant amount of land in rural eastern Leon County, selling off portions as individual homesites. One road named after him, Dempsey Mayo Road, is home to the Westminister Oaks retirement community and W.T. Moore Elementary School. Broward Street, on the other hand, is named after Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, a prominent governor who played a key role in draining the Everglades and restructuring Florida’s state-funded colleges. Finally, Perkins Street is named after George Perkins, a Tallahassee attorney from a pioneer family who once owned the land that would later become the Myers Park, Country Club, and Woodland Drives neighborhoods. Perkins was known for his home at 118 N. Gadsden Street, which had an elevator installed in the 1930s to accommodate his wife and daughter.

Magnolia Drive, Apalachee Parkway, Meridian Street, and Cascades Park border the area of interest. In 1924, Perkins sold the city 200 acres which were used to establish the Capital City County Club and golf course. Subsequently, in 1925, he sold the city 47 acres for the development of Myers Park. In the 1930s, Perkins designed the Woodland Drives neighborhood. Following Perkins’ passing in 1941, his wife and daughter generously donated Old Fort Park to the city. The Perkins residence now functions as office space.

During the development of Levy Park in 1946, Proctor and Yancey streets were named after notable figures. Ralph Proctor, who served as Tallahassee City Commissioner and Mayor from 1943 to 1946, was honored with a street bearing his name. Similarly, Malcolm Yancey, who served as City Manager in 1940, had a street named after him. These streets were part of the Circle Beautiful residential subdivision, planned by developer Syde Deeb.

Claude Pichard, a prominent house builder in Tallahassee, started a lumber and construction company with his brothers in the early 20th century. Claude Pichard Drive, near Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, is a testament to his legacy. The street runs adjacent to Magnolia Drive, close to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.

Meginnis Arm, a segment of Lake Jackson and a residential road nearby, is named after Daniel B. Meginniss, a former plantation owner in the area during the 19th century.

Located in County, the small park and boat launch area at Meginnis Arm holds historical significance. The Meginniss family, spelled with two S’s, were early pioneers in the area. Meginniss, in partnership with Arvah Hopkins, owned a general store and invested in land. Descendants of the Meginniss family, such as Benjamin Andrews Meginniss, made significant contributions to Leon County, serving as a judge, city commissioner, and mayor. Castelnau Court, a residential street off Old St. Augustine Road, is named after Francis comte de Castelnau, a French naturalist and artist who sketched Tallahassee in the 19th century.

Castelnau’s sketches of Tallahassee are some of the earliest depictions of the city, including images of the first permanent Capitol of Florida and the iconic cascade that inspired the selection of Tallahassee as the state capital. Castelnau’s explorations took him to South America, Siam (Thailand), and Australia, where he served as a French consul.

In Tallahassee, address numbering is determined by the intersection of Park Avenue and Adams Street, not Tennessee and Monroe streets as commonly assumed. Park Avenue divides the city into north and south, while Adams Street splits it into east and west. This system was established in the early 20th century, with Adams Street becoming the east-west dividing line in 1927.

Paremore Estates, a subdivision off North Meridian Road, is named after the Black family who developed the area. They were prominent figures in the community and contributed to the growth and development of the neighborhood.

The area has a rich history dating back to Reconstruction, with notable figures such as Bob Paremore, a former Florida A&M football and track star, who played a significant role in developing the subdivision. The first settler on the land was Martin Paremour, a freed slave, followed by his sons Martin Paremore and Sandy Parramore, who later acquired 40 acres each between Lake Jackson and Meridian Road.

Bob Paremore, a descendant of Martin Paremour, established Paremore Estates in the 1970s. He was a standout athlete at Florida A&M University, excelling in both football and track alongside the late Olympic gold medalist and NFL star Bob Hayes. One of the streets in Paremore Estates is named China Doll, which was Paremore’s nickname from birth due to his small size and distinctive features. After a successful career as a coach and teacher at Godby High School, Bob Paremore passed away in 2004.

Jim Lee Jr., a renowned golfer from Tallahassee, is honored with a street bearing his name. He achieved great success in golf, winning the Florida Amateur championship in 1946 and 1950. Jim Lee Jr. not only excelled in golf but also owned a cattle ranch where Rickards High School now stands. His contributions to the sport led to the establishment of the annual amateur golf tournament at Capital City Country Club, named in his honor.

Pinder Street, located on the Florida A&M University campus, pays tribute to Frank Edward Pinder, a distinguished alumnus and agriculture adviser. Graduating from FAMU in 1933, Pinder went on to have a remarkable career in agriculture, serving as a county farm agent in Florida and later working extensively in Africa for the U.S. Department of State and United Nations. His efforts in improving food production practices in Africa earned him numerous accolades and honorary degrees. Additionally, Pinder was known for his collection of African artifacts and art, which he generously donated to the FAMU Black Archives in 1983.

Finally, Goodbread Lane, as explained by historian O’Neal Jackson, derives its name from the pleasant aroma of baking bread.

The delightful scent of fresh bread wafts through Goodbread Lane, a quaint neighborhood comprising small homes nestled just west and parallel to the 700-800 blocks of North Macomb Street. Originally an unmarked dirt lane housing over thirty families in duplex-style residences, Goodbread Lane gained its name from the mouthwatering aroma of bread baking for Sunday meals. According to locals, the moniker originated in the 1940s when residents would prepare breads and cakes on Saturday afternoons for their weekend gatherings.

The street’s title, which first appeared in the 1948 city directory, was attributed to Beatrice McPherson, a resident from nearby Gibbs Street, who would pass through the area every Saturday on her way downtown, exclaiming about the delicious bread being baked. Children in the vicinity affectionately dubbed her the “Good Bread Lady,” and eventually, the name was embraced by the community as a fitting descriptor of their locale. Jackson, a former teacher and coach raised on Macomb Street, reminisced about the neighborhood’s history and the legacy of the “Good Bread” tradition.

Over the years, the once dirt road was paved around 1980, and the former duplexes have since been transformed into single-family residences. Many current residents have deep roots in the area, with familial ties that span generations. Goodbread Lane’s influence extends to the adjacent low-income housing development, known as Good Bread Hills, honoring the neighborhood’s rich heritage.

Meanwhile, Gretchen Everhart, a trailblazer in special education, is remembered through the Gretchen Everhart School, a public institution catering to children with intellectual disabilities aged 3-22. Everhart, who faced physical challenges due to childhood disabilities, dedicated her career to serving students with special needs. Born in 1908 in Escambia County, she embarked on her teaching journey in 1929, eventually becoming the first special education coordinator for Leon County schools.

McMillan, a respected figure in the Florida National Guard, is honored through the National Guard Armory on Easterwood Drive. As the Florida Adjutant General from 1962 to 1975, McMillan oversaw the state’s National Guard units and left a lasting legacy in the military community. Born in Mississippi, McMillan relocated to Tallahassee at a young age and made significant contributions to his community, embodying dedication and service throughout his career.

Louise Ford, a resident of Tallahassee, married McMillan in 1932, and together they had two daughters. McMillan’s military career saw him rise from private to captain in the National Guard before being called to active duty for World War II in 1940. He eventually reached the rank of colonel, leading an infantry unit in the Pacific and serving on the task force for the military treaty of the Organization of American States in South America. After deactivation in 1946, McMillan joined the IRS, eventually becoming a division director in Tampa and Jacksonville. In 1962, he retired from the IRS to take on a full-time role as the Florida National Guard Adjutant General based in St. Augustine. By the time of his retirement in 1975, McMillan had become the longest-serving member in the history of the Florida National Guard, with 46 years of service. In his honor, the armory built in 1970 was named after him in 1976. McMillan passed away in Orlando in 1990 and was laid to rest in Tallahassee’s Roselawn Cemetery.

Koucky Park, previously known as The Nenes, is a 2.8-acre park in Indian Head Acres that was gifted to the city in 1955 by George Koucky, a prominent developer in the east side neighborhood. The park is linked via a wooded path to Optimist Park, which used to be a lake filled in by the county. Koucky collaborated with John and Irene Stead to develop the neighborhood, incorporating Native American names to the streets, all of which include the term “nene,” meaning “trail” in the Creek language. Koucky, who relocated to Tallahassee from Arizona in 1946, passed away in 1997.

Tharpe Street, originally limited to a single block from North Monroe Street to Meridian Road, was established by developers of Anderson Heights around Lake Ella. G.C. Tharpe, the previous landowner who operated a dairy farm, lent his name to the street. Beginning in 1947, the road underwent a series of extensions to reach five miles, extending west to Capital Circle Northwest. The road was expanded from two to four lanes between Monroe Street and Ocala Road from 1989 to 1996.

Anne Street, a short service road connecting Crestview and Mitchell Avenues at the southern end of Winthrop Park, was named in honor of retired Florida State University Dean of Faculties Anne Rowe. Interestingly, the street was named after her when she was just 10 years old. In 1956, living on Crestview Avenue next to Tallahassee city commissioner Joe Cordell, Rowe noticed the unnamed street and questioned Cordell about it. This led the city commission to unanimously decide on naming the street “Anne Street.” Rowe, a Ph.D. holder in literature from the University of

David Avant Jr., a multifaceted individual in the fields of art, entrepreneurship, and history, dedicated the streets of a development to honor the inhabitants of a 17th-century mission. The streets, numbering around a dozen, bear the names of Apalachee chiefs (Don Patricio, Don Andres, Domingo), Spanish priests (Miranda, Mendoza), and Spanish soldiers (Perez, Francisco, Solana), among others. While the mission and the surrounding neighborhood are commonly referred to as San Loo-wee, the accurate Spanish pronunciation is San Loo-weese.

Old Fort Park, a relic from the Civil War era designed to protect the Capitol Confederate, adds to the charm of Tallahassee. This moat-surrounded earthwork was hastily built during the Civil War, with legend suggesting its construction in March 1865 when U.S. Army troops landed at St. Marks. However, historical records indicate that the fort was one of several constructed around Tallahassee in 1864 following the Union victory in the Battle of Marianna, which exposed the city’s vulnerability. Fortunately, the fort’s defense was not tested as Confederate forces successfully repelled federal troops in the Battle of Natural Bridge, located 10 miles south of Tallahassee, on March 3, 1865.

Originally known as Fort Houstoun (pronounced HOUSE-ton), the earthworks fortification within Old Fort Park was situated on Lakeland Plantation, the property of Edward Houstoun. After changing hands, the fort was eventually donated to the city in 1943. The park, encompassing one acre, can be found between Seminole, Maple, Country Club, and Santa Rosa drives.

Hodges Drive, located behind Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, pays tribute to State Sen. William C. Hodges and his wife, Margaret, who were the owners of the historic Goodwood Mansion nearby. Hodges, a prominent figure in the legislature during the 1920s and 1930s, was instrumental in passing Florida’s homestead exemption law. Margaret later continued living at Goodwood, leaving a lasting legacy through her involvement in the operation of the Goodwood Museum and Gardens.

Ausley Road in west Tallahassee commemorates Charles Ausley, a physician and former Leon County Commissioner. Charles Ausley’s contributions to the community were so significant that several generations of his family gained prominence in Tallahassee. Known for his medical practice in Tallahassee, Charles Ausley’s legacy lives on through the road named in his honor, which was established in the 1920s.

In 1920, the city switched to the city manager-city commission form of government. He served on the county commission from 1917 until his passing on Nov. 22, 1940. Ausley’s son, Charles Saxon Ausley, became a notable attorney, city commissioner, and mayor from 1940 to 1944. His grandson, Charles Dubose “Duby” Ausley, is a respected attorney and was the longest-serving member (15 years) of the now-defunct Florida Board of Regents overseeing state universities. Ausley’s great-granddaughter, Loranne Ausley, is an attorney who served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2008 and in the state Senate from 2020 to 2022.

Smith Hall at Florida State University was named after Elmer Riggs Smith, who was a math professor for 39 years and one of the school’s initial assistant football coaches. Smith, hailing from Tennessee, earned a master’s degree from Vanderbilt University and spent time at the University of Chicago. He joined Florida State College in 1903, which later evolved into Florida State University. Smith Hall, initially known as West Hall, was completed in 1952 and became FSU’s second on-campus dorm for men. It was later made co-ed in the mid-1970s. Smith retired as a math professor in 1942 and passed away in 1959. The dorm was demolished in 2017.

Gadsden Street was originally named Butler Street, after Robert Butler, one of Tallahassee’s distinguished early residents and the first surveyor general of Florida. Butler, a protege of Andrew Jackson, arrived in Tallahassee in 1824. He played a vital role in the city’s development, establishing the prime meridian marker and designing Florida’s first capitol building. Butler owned a plantation near Lake Jackson, where he and his wife hosted the annual “Feast of Roses” celebration. The street’s name was later changed to Gadsden Street in honor of James Gadsden, another Jackson officer.

Shephard Street, spanning two blocks from M.L. King Jr. Boulevard to Ford Street, is named after Marion “Buddy” Shephard, a Tallahassee native and fallen World War II hero.

During World War II, Shephard, a graduate of Leon High School, enlisted in the Army in 1942. He earned a Purple Heart while fighting in North Africa before his death on October 30, 1944, in Italy. Shephard grew up in his family’s residence located at the intersection of North Boulevard Street (now M.L. King Blvd.) and an unnamed street. In August 1945, the City Commission decided to honor Shephard’s memory by naming the previously unnamed street after him, following a request from his older brother, John. The family home was renumbered to 404 Shephard St., while John Shephard resided at 412 Shephard, next to the family home until a few years before his passing in 2005. He named his daughter Marion in tribute to his fallen brother.

Imagine if Park Avenue were still known as McCarty Street. Originally named after an early judge and territorial secretary, W.M. McCarty, the street underwent a name change to Park Avenue, as requested by Jane Chittenden, a prominent resident, who did not want an Irish street name on her son’s wedding invitations. Chittenden, the president of a local women’s group, successfully petitioned the city in 1905 to change the street name to reflect its connection with the downtown parks. Park Avenue now stretches from Florida State University to Capital Circle Southeast.

Carraway Street, located in the Capital Hills neighborhood between Mahan Drive and Miccosukee Road, honors Wilson Carraway, a Tallahassee state senator instrumental in establishing co-educational Florida State University and supporting a bill in 1955 that aimed to mandate football games between FSU and the University of Florida. Carraway, a Tallahassee native, served in both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate, co-sponsoring the bill that created co-educational institutions at UF and FSU. Despite the defeat of his 1955 bill, the football series between the two universities began in 1958 through a mutual agreement. Carraway passed away in 1972.

The former C.H. Corn Hydro-Electric facility at the Lake Talquin dam is named after Clemer Herbert Corn, the city’s former superintendent of power production. Corn, born in 1923 in Pikeville, Indiana, served in the U.S. Navy during and after World War II as a gunner’s mate. He later pursued a career as a mechanical engineer, working for the Jacksonville Ele.

C.H. Corn was appointed as superintendent of Tallahassee’s two power plants in 1972 by the Electric Authority. He was married to Lucky Strickland for 49 years and they had four daughters. The hydro-electric plant on Lake Talquin was built in 1929 after the Ochlockonee River was dammed. Initially operated by Florida Power, it was later taken over by the city in 1978 with the help of a federal grant. It was reactivated in 1986 and named after Corn, who supervised its acquisition. Located in western Leon County, the C.H. Corn Hydro-Electric facility was one of only two such plants in Florida. It generated approximately one percent of Tallahassee’s electricity, running when rainfall filled Lake Talquin to power the generators. Corn retired in 1987 and passed away in 1997 at the age of 74. He was laid to rest in Roselawn Cemetery in Tallahassee. In 2017, the city decided to transition to solar power, leading to the decision to decommission the hydro-electric facility.

The Plantation Cemetery in Betton Hills is a historical site that served as the burial ground for slaves and servants of the 19th century Betton Plantation in Leon County. Originally owned by Turbott Betton, the plantation covered 1,200 acres and changed hands to the Winthrop family after Betton’s passing in 1863. In 1945, Guy Winthrop developed the Betton Hills neighborhood, and an agreement was made for the city to maintain the cemetery in exchange for the land that became Winthrop Park. Over time, the cemetery became neglected until the neighborhood association convinced the city to resume its upkeep. A historical marker was placed at the site in 1999, acknowledging its significance. Today, only a few gravestones remain in the cemetery, which was once marked by wooden crosses.

Edward Conradi, a native of Ohio with a Ph.D. in psychology, served as the third president of Florida State University from 1909 to 1941. During his tenure, the institution, then known as Florida State College for Women, experienced significant growth, expanding from 13 acres, five buildings, and 237 students to 88 acres, 20 buildings, and over 2,000 students. Conradi introduced an honors program, established the first Phi Beta Kappa chapter in Florida, and led the college to become the first women’s college in the South approved by the Association of American Universities. Following his death in 1944, the original biology building was named after him, and the psychology department endowed a chair in his honor. Conradi’s legacy is also honored by a street named after him in Tallahassee.

The Williams Building courtyard, situated next to the Augusta Conradi Theater, is dedicated to Radi’s late wife of 29 years, who tragically passed away during his term in office. One of the distinctive features of this courtyard is the Torreya tree, known for its stiff and sharp needles. This unique conifer species has led to the local Garden of Eden theory, particularly in Torreya State Park, located 45 miles west of Tallahassee along the Apalachicola River near Bristol. The tree was named in the 19th century by Hardy Croom, the original owner of Goodwood Plantation in Tallahassee, in honor of American botanist John Torrey.

In the 1960s, the Torreya tree gained attention when E. E. Callaway proposed a theory linking it to the biblical Garden of Eden, citing similarities between the tree and descriptions in the Bible. Callaway, a Bristol attorney turned Baptist minister, believed that the Torreya tree indicated the location of the Garden of Eden, echoing biblical references to rivers and gopherwood. Despite facing threats from a fungus, the Torreya tree remains significant in the area.

Another notable figure in Tallahassee’s history is Dexter Lowry, who played a key role in the city’s development in the early 20th century. Originally from Alabama, Lowry moved to Tallahassee in 1900 and became involved in various ventures, including serving as mayor and state senator. His contributions to the community extended to the banking sector, where he held leadership positions at Capital City Bank. The legacy of the Lowry family is honored through street names in a northeast Tallahassee neighborhood, reflecting their lasting impact on the city.

Additionally, the Shaw family, descendants of Dexter Lowry, made significant contributions to Tallahassee’s business landscape through ventures like Tallahassee Ford and Meridian Plantation. The family’s connections to the community are commemorated through various landmarks and developments in the area, showcasing their enduring influence.

Named after father and son, Ben Bridges Sr. and Ben Bridges Jr., the former being a clerk and clerk-treasurer of Tallahassee. Ben Bridges Jr., the first Tallahassee resident and UF graduate to be killed in World War II, had the city’s first softball field named in his honor. The American Legion post in the city carries the name of his son, Ben Bridges Jr. Ben Bridges Sr., originally from Andalusia, Alabama, graduated from the University of Florida in 1905 with a degree in chemistry before moving to Tallahassee to work as an Assistant State Chemist with the Department of Agriculture. He served as city clerk starting in 1911 and later became city treasurer-clerk in 1920. In 1938, the city constructed its first dedicated softball field, Ben Bridges Park, which was later replaced by Messer Field in 1963. Ben Bridges passed away in January 1941 following a severe car accident, while Ben Bridges Jr., a standout tennis player at the University of Florida, tragically died in a plane crash in April 1942 during World War II. The Sauls-Bridges American Legion Post 13 in Tallahassee commemorates Ben Bridges Jr. and Claude Sauls, the first Tallahasseean to lose his life in World War I.

Sampson Hall at Florida A&M University, a five-story men’s dormitory built in 1938, is named after George M. Sampson, the founder of the FAMU football team. Sampson, who joined the FAMU faculty as a mathematics professor in 1899, organized and coached the university’s inaugural football team. Despite leaving FAMU in 1909 after serving in various teaching and administrative capacities, Sampson’s legacy continued with the establishment of a football field near campus. The current location of the football field, named after Jubie Bragg and his son Eugene, FAMU’s first All-American football player, was moved in 1957. The field was initially situated at the site of today’s track and field complex, just south of Sampson Hall.

Lake Talquin, an 8,850-acre lake situated between Tallahassee and Quincy, was formed in 1927 by the construction of the Jackson Bluff Dam on the Ocklockonee River. The lake, with its deepest areas in the former river channel and surrounded by the Talquin State Recreation Area, boasts a diverse ecosystem filled with trees and stumps that once belonged to the surrounding forest. Additionally, Kleman Plaza in Tallahassee is named after a visionary city manager and has been a prominent landmark for over twenty-five years, though many may not be aware of the name’s origin.

Dan Kleman served as Tallahassee’s city manager from 1974 to 1994, following the retirement of Arvah Hopkins, who had led city operations for 22 years. Kleman, who was only 28 years old at the time and hailing from Dayton, Ohio, was considered a bold choice by the city commission in 1974. Despite this, Kleman proved to be up to the challenge, guiding Tallahassee through two decades of growth and progress, which included overseeing the construction of the multi-building plaza in downtown Tallahassee. After his tenure in Tallahassee, Kleman later held positions in Hillsborough and Duval counties before becoming the director of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.

Tallahassee Police Department Officer Ernest Ponce de Leon was tragically the first TPD officer to be murdered in the line of duty. He was fatally shot on July 8, 1988, at a laundromat while investigating a carload of suspicious individuals. Ponce de Leon, a father of two, succumbed to his injuries after being shot twice in the chest. In honor of his service, a street near TPD headquarters was named Officer Ponce Way. The perpetrator was convicted and sentenced to death, ultimately passing away on Death Row. Subsequently, other TPD officers have lost their lives in the line of duty, including Officer Dale Green in 2002 and Officer Christopher Nicholas Fariello in 2022.

Fred Lee, the first Black sergeant on the Tallahassee Police Department, was honored with a statue and park at the corner of Macomb and Georgia streets. Initially working as a cafeteria cook at Leon High, Lee was persuaded to integrate the police department in 1952. Despite facing initial inequalities, Lee eventually gained equal powers as his white counterparts, received his own squad car, and rose to the rank of sergeant before retiring after 20 years of service. The park and statue dedicated to him were unveiled in 2002.

Oakland Cemetery, the city’s second-oldest public cemetery, hosts an annual Memorial Day observance and includes a veterans section. Established in 1902, the cemetery spans north from Brevard Street to Fourth Avenue and is adorned with various oak and tree species. The cemetery notably relinquished a portion of its land in 1905 for the creation of old Lincoln High and a city park, now known as the Fred Lee ballfield. The veterans cemetery within Oakland Cemetery was initiated in 1936 in the southeastern area.

Located at the northeast corner of Oakland, the Old City Cemetery in Tallahassee boasts 170 gravesites of veterans who served in conflicts ranging from World War I to Vietnam. Established during the 1841 yellow fever outbreak, this cemetery was the city’s first public burial ground. In 1937, Greenwood Cemetery was set up for Black individuals after officials determined that Oakland’s Black section was at full capacity. Subsequently, Roselawn (1955) and Southside (1963) city cemeteries were established as well.

A significant number of streets in Tallahassee are named after early Florida governors, as a result of a street renaming initiative by the City Commission in 1930. Mayor Frank Moor proposed using the names of former governors for the newly renamed streets, resulting in the creation of streets like Allison, Branch, Broome, Broward, Brown, Drew, Fleming, Gilchrist, Jackson, Jennings, Martin, and Reid. This project also standardized the naming convention for north-south streets in Tallahassee, designating them as streets rather than avenues. Similar street renaming projects were carried out in 1948 and 2001 to eliminate duplicate names.

The Ochlockonee River, which serves as the western boundary of Leon County, has a rich history dating back to Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto’s discovery in 1540. Initially called Guacuca by De Soto, the river was later known as Amarillo by the Spanish and the Yellow River by English settlers due to its color. Over time, the name evolved to the current Ochlockonee, derived from Native American terms for water and yellow. The river was dammed in 1927 to create Lake Talquin for hydro-electric power, and Ochlockonee River State Park was established in 1970 where the river meets Ochlockonee Bay.

Murphree Street, located between West Tennessee and Call streets near FSU, is named after Albert Alexander Murphree, the only individual to have served as president of both FSU and the University of Florida. Murphree played a pivotal role in the development of both institutions, overseeing significant growth and reorganization during his tenure.

The University of Florida honored its former president, who passed away at age 57 on Dec. 5, 1927, by erecting a statue and naming a dormitory after him. FSU also paid tribute by naming its Jennie Murphree dormitory after his wife, a graduate of FSCW, and placing a statue of Murphree in front of the dorm. Both Murphrees are laid to rest in Tallahassee’s St. John’s Episcopal Cemetery.

McCaskill Avenue in Tallahassee is named after Allen Peter McCaskill, a city commissioner from 1920 to 1926. He was one of the first three individuals elected to the Tallahassee City Commission in 1920 and one of the only two to serve as both a city commissioner and city manager simultaneously. Prior to 1920, Tallahassee was governed by an elected mayor and a city council. McCaskill, Guyte McCord, and James Stuart Lewis were the sole candidates for the city commission in 1920, with McCaskill securing the most votes. Following the resignation of the first city manager in 1922, McCord and McCaskill took turns as interim city managers while also serving on the commission. McCaskill was re-elected in 1923 for another three-year term before retiring in 1926.

Blair Stone Road commemorates Blair Stone, a telephone company executive and community leader, and should be written as three separate words. This street, established in the 1950s, was one of many unnamed roads given names of telephone company employees. Stone passed away in 1959.

Gilchrist Elementary on Timberlane Road is named after its inaugural principal, James “Mack” Gilchrist. A veteran of World War II, Gilchrist held degrees from Florida State University and worked as an educator at various schools before becoming the first principal of Timberlane Elementary, which was later renamed after him upon his retirement in 1979.

Rogers Hall at FSU is dedicated to William Hudson Rogers, an English professor at the university from 1922 to 1964. In 1957, he was recognized as FSU’s first Distinguished Professor of the Year for his expertise in Robert Browning. Rogers Hall, established in 1969, honors his contributions to the academic community.

Rogers Hall at Florida State University is named after William Hudson Rogers, the university’s first Distinguished Professor of the Year. Originally from Plum Branch, Va., Rogers was a distinguished scholar who graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Davidson University. After serving in World War I, he joined the faculty of Florida State College for Women in 1922, where he taught English for 42 years. Known for his expertise on poet Robert Browning, Rogers was beloved by his students and colleagues. In 1957, he was honored as the inaugural winner of FSU’s Distinguished Professor of the Year award. Rogers retired in 1964 and passed away in Tallahassee in 1975. The eight-story Rogers Hall was opened on the west side of campus in 1969.

At the Knott House on 301 E. Park Ave., the annual Emancipation Day celebration commemorates the historic event when Union Gen. Edward McCook read the Emancipation Proclamation on May 20, 1865. The house was originally built in 1843 by George Proctor, a free Black man, and later occupied by Thomas Hagner and his wife Catherine Gamble. In 1928, Luella and William Knott made the house their home. William Knott served in the Florida Cabinet for 38 years, and his wife was a poet. After their passing, the house became a museum operated by the state.

Frank S. Hartsfield, a longtime Leon County superintendent of schools, is the namesake of the eastside elementary school that opened in 1956. Descendants of the Hartsfield family also operated a dairy farm, leading to the naming of Hartsfield Road on the west side. The Hartsfield family has been influential in Leon County for generations, with members serving in various leadership roles.

DeGraff Hall at Florida State University is named after Mark DeGraff, an education professor and head of testing at the school from 1925 until his passing in 1957. DeGraff was known for his dedication to teaching and is remembered for his contributions to the field of education.

Sybil Flynn (Winter Garden ’27) and Elna Madison (Largo ’27) are both significant figures associated with DeGraff Hall, a dormitory complex at Florida State University. The complex, located at Tennessee and Dewey streets, is named in honor of the late Mark DeGraff, a well-respected professor and administrator at FSU. Originally from New York, DeGraff held degrees from Colgate University, American College of Osteopathy, and Iowa State University. He joined Florida State College for Women in 1925 as an education professor and later published a notable social studies textbook in 1928. By 1947, when FSCW transitioned to FSU, DeGraff served as the supervisor of the testing bureau, overseeing standardized tests.

DeGraff Hall, initially a two-story dormitory, was constructed in 1950 as FSU’s first men’s dorm and later repurposed as a graduate student residence. DeGraff passed away in 1957, and the dormitory was officially named in his honor in 1961. The original building was demolished in 2005 to make way for the current complex, which opened in 2007. In 1985, the FSU College of Social Work established a scholarship in memory of Mark DeGraff and his wife, Lula Hamilton DeGraff.

Chapel Drive, connecting West Pensacola and West Call streets, takes its name from a former military chapel relocated in 1957 to serve as the home of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Originally part of Dale Mabry Field, a World War II Army Air Corps base in southwest Tallahassee, the chapel was purchased by the church in 1957 and moved to a 12-acre former dairy farm overlooking FSU. The church later sold a portion of the land for housing development, including homes for FSU professors on Westminster Drive.

Jackson Bluff Road in Tallahassee commemorates the site where Andrew Jackson crossed the Ochlockonee River into present-day Leon County 196 years ago. During the first Seminole War, Jackson and his army traversed North Florida in 1818-1819, making their way through the region. Following a challenging journey through the Apalachicola River and Tate’s Hell swamp, Jackson and his troops reached the Ochlockonee River on March 29, 1818. The following day, they utilized canoes to cross the river and proceeded along a Native American trail to the Tallahassee area. Over time, settlers named the crossing spot Jackson’s Bluff and established Fort Braden during the Second Seminole War to safeguard the river crossing.

In 1927, the Ochlockonee River was dammed to create Lake Talquin and provide hydroelectric power from the Jackson Bluff Dam, which was built near Jackson’s crossing point. The dam, known as the C.H. Corn Hydro Dam, was one of only two hydroelectric dams in Florida but was shut down in 2017. Today, Jackson Bluff Road, which runs parallel to West Pensacola Street, was established and named in 1927 when Gaines Street was extended west of Lake Bradford Road.

The Elliot Building, situated on South Monroe Street across from the Capitol, is a state building named after Fred Cotten Elliot. Elliot was a civil engineer from Tallahassee who played a significant role in draining the Everglades for the Internal Improvement Fund. A native of Leon County, Elliot received his civil engineering degree from Virginia Military Institute and worked in various places before returning to Tallahassee in 1908. He worked for the Internal Improvement Trust, overseeing state swamp lands and was instrumental in the surveying and drainage of the Everglades to create farmland. Elliot also designed the St. Lucie canal for controlling the drainage of Lake Okeechobee.

The Elliot Building, constructed in 1962 and named in honor of Elliot, housed the Internal Improvement Trust and Volunteer Florida. However, plans were made to demolish the building for the development of a Memorial Park. Elliot passed away in 1963 at the age of 85.

At St. John’s Episcopal Church, located at 211 N. Monroe Street, there are two granite obelisks at the front sidewalk that serve as memorials to two of the church’s founders from the 19th century. The northern obelisk commemorates J. Loring Woart, the pastor who oversaw the church’s construction in 1837, while the southern obelisk honors Hardy Croom, a congregation member from 1829. Both men tragically died within nine months of each other in separate sea-related incidents. Hardy Croom, along with his family, perished in a shipwreck while en route to Florida in 1837, while J. Loring Woart, a Harvard graduate and Massachusetts native, served as the pastor of St. John’s from 1836 to 1838 and was instrumental in the church’s construction.

In June 1838, Woart, along with his wife and four members of St. John’s, were aboard a steamship bound for New York when the boiler suddenly exploded, causing the ship to sink. Despite clinging to debris for several days, Woart and his wife tragically drowned. The streets in the Evening Rose neighborhood, located off Capital Circle NE near Mahan Drive, were named to honor both longstanding residents of the area and the developer’s family. Established in 2006 by Dave Wamsley and Fincher Smith, Evening Rose was later acquired by another company in 2010. This 36-acre development was originally part of a 132-acre farm owned by Alexis Stanley, the son of former slaves from North Carolina who relocated to Leon County after the Civil War. Alexis Lane, situated across Capital Circle, is a tribute to Alexis Stanley and his descendants who maintained ownership of the original farm over the years. Easter Stanley Road in Evening Rose is named after one of Alexis’ daughters, who married Hubert Davis and raised a large family on the property. Genevieve Park Drive honors Wamsley’s grandmother, while Brush Hill Road pays homage to the Nashville street where Wamsley spent his childhood, near country music star Roy Acuff’s residence. The name Evening Rose was suggested by the Austin and Davis families, symbolizing a connection between different branches of the family. The neighborhood also houses the Imagine School at Evening Rose. This information is part of the TLH 200: the Gerald Ensley Bicentennial Memorial Project, which aims to revisit Tallahassee’s history throughout its 200th anniversary, drawing from the research conducted by the late Tallahassee Democrat columnist and historian, Gerald Ensley. For more details, visit tallahassee.com/tlh200. This article was originally published in the Tallahassee Democrat, highlighting the historical significance portrayed by street names and landmarks in Tallahassee and Leon County.