how did florida get its name

The Great Hurricane of 1935 finally did them all in and most of the towns along the way to Key West just disappeared. How did the storm get its name, and how do you pronounce it? All State Nicknames. Although Although Official State Nickname of Florida. Source(s): https://owly.im/a8gUW. All Rights Reserved. 92-107 (16 pages). It’s also no coincidence that the state flower is the orange blossom. , which is the largest continuous stand of sawgrass prairie in North America and the only subtropical preserve on the continent. Get your fix of JSTOR Daily’s best stories in your inbox each Thursday. Florida is home to the Everglades National Park, which is the largest continuous stand of sawgrass prairie in North America and the only subtropical preserve on the continent. “We are essentially a bridge between the temperate environment of the north and west, and the tropics and south,” Chesnes explains. read more Speak now. Florida has roughly 230 days of sunshine a year, so it’s easy to see how it got this name. People who are from Florida or live in the state are called Floridians. During its history of over 450 years, the town, like its namesake, has experienced its … The state certainly deserves to be named after its biodiversity. Florida's cities and counties are named for influential residents, Indian words used to describe the area, and former governors. Name Origins of Florida Places Florida's cities and counties are named for influential residents, Indian words used to describe the area, and former governors. Florida boasts about 3,300 native species of plants, says Thomas Chesnes, professor of biology at the Palm Beach Atlantic University. The name Orlando was first associated with the city (which, at that time, was just a small community) in 1857. 94, No. It was the love of a woman that… That theory certainly has merit. Welcome to Florida Time. It’s also no coincidence that the state flower is the, , when authorities would question folks where the runaways might be, they would respond, “Well, I suppose they just flew up the creek.”. A 1912 newspaper article described Zephyrhills as “the healthiest place in Florida;” it incorporated as a town in 1914. According to another hypothesis, the state earned its name because of its lush vegetation and beautiful blossoms. Eliot Kleinberg @eliotkpbp Sunday Nov 24, 2019 at 9:36 PM. 0 0. 92, No. “Their religiosity was abundant; they wore it on their sleeves in those days,” says Roger Chapman, history professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University, who traced the journey of de León’s crew. In Spanish, Easter Sunday is often called La Pascua de las Flores—the festival of flowers. Most sources agree that it received its name from its founder Matthias D. Day, a business tycoon from Mansfield, Ohio. In order to understand the origins of the city’s name, it is essential to know the important role that citrus production plays in the economy of Central Florida… Incorporated in 1895, Cocoa has continued to develop and mature despite serious setbacks early in its history. One group believes it stems from the sound of cracking whips ranchers used to herd cattle. © ITHAKA. There are approximately 1.25 million alligators inhabiting the state, which is tied with Louisiana for the most. The name "Florida" comes from the Spanish word "florido," which means "full of flowers," or "flowery." But some historians questioned whether de León indeed set foot on Florida’s soil on the day associated with the resurrection. In 1896, nearly twenty years after the death of the Leonard Destin, a close friend and former employee named William Marler applied to become the first Postmaster of East Pass. From the man who claimed it to the pioneers who tamed it to the inhabitants soaking it all in, this is how Florida got its name and nicknames associated with it. Florida's nickname is "The Sunshine State," adopted officially by Florida legislature in 1970. Florida is called the Sunshine State because of its subtropical to tropical climate and annual average of 230 days with sunshine. Is that still the case? Marianna, Jackson County -- Marianna is named for the daughters of the original owners of the site, the Beveridges. inhabiting the state, which is tied with Louisiana for the most. Consider Constantin Merezhkowsky, theorist of symbiogenesis. You may unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the provided link on any marketing message. From the man who claimed it to the pioneers who tamed it to the inhabitants soaking it all in, this is how Florida got its name and nicknames associated with it. Thursday Nov 21, 2019 at 6:00 AM. Florida became a state 12 years before in 1845, and around that time, the county, then known as Mosquito County, was changed to Orange County. From "insurrection" to "rebellion" to "Civil War," finding a name for the conflict was always political. Florida is the fourth most-populated state in the country, and it's beaches draw thousands of … JSTOR Daily readers can access the original research behind our articles for free on JSTOR. Others believe it comes from the cracked corn used to make moonshine. Another popular legend of how Orlando got its name centers around a man named “Mr. Let’s take a look at how the 27th state to join the U.S. got its name and the many nicknames that perfectly describe it. What’s the Difference between a Shanty and a Sea Song. As they passed, they would call out "cocoa, cocoa" until the woman supplied them with refreshment. The city is named after Colonel Abraham Myers. The name came from the Jernigan family, early settlers in the area. Florida has roughly 230 days of sunshine a year, so it’s easy to see how it got this name. Live An Hour Away From Work? The state sits between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Have a correction or comment about this article? Copyright © FloridaInsider - All Rights Reserved. These pages briefly explain the meaning behind the names of some of its cities and all of its counties. Today, you'll get Part 4, the last of our counties lists. In retrospect, the decision to name the town St. Augustine seems to have been a fitting one. In 1896, nearly twenty years after the death of the Leonard Destin, a close friend and former employee named William Marler applied to become the first Postmaster of East Pass. What does "Florida" mean? Odom’s theory is one espoused by several sources as to how Yeehaw Junction got its name. But not even the denizens of the Sunshine State are exempt from having nicknames. Today, we hear about Key West, the city that used to be the biggest in South Florida. For these very religious Spaniards, the day of Jesus’s resurrection was one of the most sacred holidays of the year. Welcome to Florida Time. Eliot Kleinberg @eliotkpbp Wednesday Aug 21, 2019 at 5:31 AM Aug 22, 2019 at 8:44 AM. There has been some settlement at the crossroads where Yeehaw Junction sits, now the … Melissa's career in writing started more than 20 years ago. Florida is said to have been first seen by the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León on Palm Sunday, second of April 1513. Ask a Question + Ask Question + Ask Question I mean Ponce de Leon saw enough vibrant flora to name the whole state after a celebration of flowers. Turns out, the difference is significant. Whatever its origin, by 1884 the name Cocoa had become permanently associated with what was then an infant settlement. Historians favor the idea that Ponce de Leon named the state because he discovered it on Easter or Palm Sunday. That’s not counting over 1,000 more plant species that were naturalized here, thanks to the state’s geographical location. Chapman notes that writer Peter Parley, who composed an 1860 history and geography textbook, wrote that Florida “received its name from the abundance of wild flowers that flourished upon its soil.” The state received its name from that conquistador, who called the peninsula La Pascua Florida in recognition of the verdant landscape and because it was the Easter season, which the Spaniar… JSTOR is part of ITHAKA, a not-for-profit organization helping the academic community use digital technologies to preserve the scholarly record and to advance research and teaching in sustainable ways. These pages briefly explain the meaning behind the names of some of its cities and all of its counties. What better way to lay the foundation of Florida history than with the origin of each county’s name? In his introduction to Keynames, Jim describes its scope, “The list which follows consists of an alphabetical compilation of every place name for an island or key in the Florida Keys…keys included begin to the north with Virginia Key in Biscayne Bay, and end with the westernmost of the Dry Tortugas Keys. What better way to lay the foundation of Florida history than with the origin of each county’s name? Incorporated in 1895, Cocoa has continued to develop and mature despite serious setbacks early in its history. By 1850, Jernigan had a post office, and by 1856 the community had expanded northward, and changed its name to Orlando. Historically, relations between Native Americans and the Bureau of Indian Affairs have been contentious. Help us keep publishing stories that provide scholarly context to the news. Others believe it comes from the cracked corn used to make moonshine. Due to the massive gator population discussed earlier, Floridians have been referred to as “Alligators.”, Going way back to the 1800s, some of the earliest Florida settlers were runaway slaves or fugitives. Others are convinced it was named after the Portuguese … Some people swear Vero got its name because hurricanes “veered” away from the area. The ubiquitous pink flamingo lawn ornament is 60 years old, a product of the age of suburbs and plastic. The winter homes of Thomas Edison ("Seminole Lodge") and Henry Ford ("The Mangoes") are a primary tourist attraction in the region. He was supposedly buried at the spot where he died. Anupam_ts/CC-BY 2.0 Florida is called the Sunshine State because of its subtropical to tropical climate and annual average of 230 days with sunshine. THE STATE NAME: As mentioned above, Florida was named by Ponce de Leon in 1512. The early chroniclers of de León’s journey chose the former point of view, but as American culture becomes more secularized, historians may be favoring the latter. As Chesnes says, “Florida is an interesting melting pot of botany.”. Odom’s theory is one espoused by several sources as to how Yeehaw Junction got its name. Florida Time: How did Key West get its name? Even if the fountain wasn’t what really brought him to the peninsula, it’s not hard to imagine that this land of flourishing flowers could be home to a mythical spring of everlasting life. JSTOR is a digital library for scholars, researchers, and students. What better way to lay the foundation of Florida history than with the origin of each county’s name? We publish articles grounded in peer-reviewed research and provide free access to that research for all of our readers. The story that Ponce de Leon was chasing the Fountain of Youth was added to his lore long after his death. … Florida Time: How did Key West get its name? 1 decade ago. The nickname was officially adopted by the 1970 legislature. So a prominent early theory states that de León named the new land La Pascua Florida in honor of Easter Sunday. In his introduction to Keynames, Jim describes its scope, “The list which follows consists of an alphabetical compilation of every place name for an island or key in the Florida Keys…keys included begin to the north with Virginia Key in Biscayne Bay, and end with the westernmost of the Dry Tortugas Keys. Florida declared the alligator their official state reptile in 1987. And if the crew members chose to explore further inland, they would have found more wildflowers, very different from what they had back home, Chesnes points out. He was looking for gold, and also for the fountain of youth, a miracle spring that at the time was believed to exist in the New World. Daytona Beach was founded in 1870 and officially became a city when it was incorporated in 1876. 1 (Summer 2013), pp. Welcome to Florida … Florida History: How did each Florida county get its name? For example, one paper notes that the crew sighted the landmass on March 27, 1513, which was Easter Sunday—but wasn’t able to reach it until a few days later in early April. As they passed, they would call out "cocoa, cocoa" until the woman supplied them with refreshment. The explorer’s homeland of Spain was celebrating Pascua Florida, the feast of flowers, as he claimed the newly found territory on April 2nd. Destin Gets its Name. In 1926, the three separate towns of Daytona, Daytona Beach and Seabreeze merged as Daytona Beach. Who Wrote the Declaration of Independence? By Eliot Kleinberg Palm Beach Post Thursday Aug 22, 2019 at 4:31 AM Aug 22, 2019 at 7:44 AM. Lastly, there’s the nickname of “Florida Cracker.” There are two competing theories on how this sobriquet came about. Today, you'll get Part 4, the last of our counties lists. March 27, 1513, which was Easter Sunday—but wasn’t able to reach it, Florida “received its name from the abundance of wild flowers that flourished upon its soil.”, Juan Ponce de León and the Discovery of Florida Reconsidered, Throwing the Explorer out with the Fountain: American History Textbooks and Juan Ponce de León, How the Plastic Pink Flamingo Became an Icon, The Hidden Meaning of a Notorious Experiment, Herbs & Verbs: How to Do Witchcraft for Real. A prominent early theory states that de León named the new land La Pascua Florida in honor of Easter Sunday. The state is a peninsula so there’s no guesswork here. It was Easter Sunday when Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon laid eyes on a lush and thriving land. Welcome to Florida Time. According to another hypothesis, the state earned its name because of its lush vegetation and beautiful blossoms. Florida History: How did each Florida county get its name? The Everglade State. In the early 1800s, the Scottish immigrant wrote an anonymous tract imagining equality. People would say “There lies Orlando” and the name stuck. He purchased 3,200 acres in the fall of 1870 for the sum of $1,200. Florida History: How did each Florida county get its name? They always attributed things to God in one way or another, he adds. Nevertheless, this one has its own name, because of its … His application was sent back, stating that the town be given a shorter name, one that would not easily be confused with other towns. So does Florida owe its name to Christ’s resurrection, or its botanical beauty? More: 10 interesting things you might not know about Florida First Coast Eliot Kleinberg @eliotkpbp Wednesday Aug 21, 2019 at 5:31 AM Aug 22, 2019 at 8:44 AM. Florida's nickname of the Sunshine State was officially adopted by the Florida state legislature in 1970. In honor of the Eastertime tradition, Ponce de Leon named the region “Florida” which is Spanish for “land of flowers.”. Today, you'll get Part 4, the last of our counties lists. What better way to lay the foundation of Florida history than with the origin of each county’s name? The Town of Orlando was incorporated in 1875 with 85 residents, 22 of whom were qualified voters. Near present-day St. Augustine, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León comes ashore on the Florida coast, and claims the territory for the Spanish crown. Another nickname for Florida is The Peninsula State. That’s why so many plant species are able to thrive here, he adds, some blooming year-round and others seasonally, reaching their peak in spring or summer. and is only second to Brazil in global production. Native Nations and the BIA: It’s Complicated, The Early American Radical Fiction of John Lithgow. Sediment from the Mississippi River … Masaryktown, Hernando County -- Named after the first president of Czechoslovakia, Masarytown was founded by the editor of a Czech newspaper in New York. 15 Answers. His crew didn’t even have to venture far from the ship. Orlando” who died near the site of Fort Gatlin while taking an ox caravan to Tampa. “It was part of their culture.”. Had de León indeed travelled in 1512, he could have reached Florida on an Easter Sunday. So it’s just a bit unexpected to learn that Frostproof is a town in one of the muggiest states in America—Florida. Smitten by the abundance of plants, flowers, and colors, the explorer might have called the land not La Pascua de las Flores, but rather La Florida—“the place of flowers.”. JSTOR Daily provides context for current events using scholarship found in JSTOR, a digital library of academic journals, books, and other material. Consider Traveling By Train, New Tool Helps Homeowners Compare Instant Offers From iBuyers, Red Tide continues to irritate Southwest Florida Beaches, Altmed Florida brings popular edible Medical Cannabis brand Wana Brands to its Dispensaries, Florida begins paying out extra $300 weekly, still working to extend federal unemployment programs. But if he set sail in 1513, his arrival wouldn’t correspond with the holiday, some historians noted. Fort Myers is a gateway to the Southwest Florida region and a major tourist destination within Florida. Can You Be a Good Scientist and a Horrible Person at the Same Time? Today, you'll get Part 4, … How Did Florida Get Its Name? 506 years ago, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León landed in what he christened “Florida.” Historians still wonder where the name came from. They left behind artifacts and archeological evidence. At night, large white moonflowers would open up. Plus, some historical texts originally listed de León’s sailing year as 1512, which was later proven to be incorrect. 1935 Hurricane. Today, she lives in South Florida with her husband and two boys. 1 (SUMMER 2015), pp. Florida is home to the Everglades National Park, which is the largest continuous stand of sawgrass prairie in North America and the only subtropical preserve on the continent. Starting from northeast Florida and traveling south around the peninsula, here's how each coast got its unique name. Eliot Kleinberg @eliotkpbp Sunday Nov 24, 2019 at 9:36 PM. Those escapees were called “fly-up-the-creeks.”, According to an article in the Orlando Sentinel, when authorities would question folks where the runaways might be, they would respond, “Well, I suppose they just flew up the creek.”, The green heron, also known as the mangrove heron, shares the moniker of “fly-up-the-creeks.”. Ray Hueston answered . Florida's written history begins with the arrival of Europeans; the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León in 1513 made the first textual records. Florida Time - How Key West got its name . What better way to lay the foundation of Florida history than with the origin of each county’s name? Melissa’s career in writing started more than 20 years ago. Florida was named by explorer Ponce de Leon in 1513. Just on the beach, they would have seen the bright yellow beach sunflowers and big purple beach morning glory. On March 10, 1910, Abbot Station changed its name to Zephyrhills. Florida's nickname is "The Sunshine State," adopted officially by Florida legislature in 1970. According to some historical accounts of de León’s journey, his crew landed in the future Florida on Easter Sunday. Another nickname for Florida is The Peninsula State. In April of 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León set foot on the stretch of land we call Florida today. When de León arrived, flowers were likely everywhere. Destin Gets its Name. Near present-day St. Augustine, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León comes ashore on the Florida coast, and claims the territory for the Spanish crown. Florida shares this nickname with Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, which all have shorelines on the Gulf of Mexico. The story goes that local politicians and residents felt that Orange County sounded a lot better (and more inviting). Florida’s Lighthouses and Our List of the Ones You Should Visit on your Next Trip. One group believes it stems from the sound of cracking whips ranchers used to herd cattle. The region from Panama City to Pensacola gets its colorful name from the blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. There are variations to this story; it has been said the town was initially named Jeffries Hills and evolved to Zephyrhills from there. Florida declared the alligator their. The most accepted version of how it got its name appears to be that the Spanish corrupted "Cayo," a Taino word for small island, and added … .” There are two competing theories on how this sobriquet came about. It has a surprising natural history. In 1857, the U.S. Post Office adopted the name change. "la Florida," he called this land, Spanish for flowery, covered with flowers, or abounding in flowers. 1-31 (31 pages), The Florida Historical Quarterly, Vol. The Atlas of Florida is our source for Florida city and county names. Coming from Europe, seeing these lush and unusual tropical plants would have been impressive. He was worried about the brand-new American republic. From this event the inlet received the name “Matanzas,” which is Spanish for “slaughter.” Today. Whatever its origin, by 1884 the name Cocoa had become permanently associated with what was then an infant settlement. The hurricane of 1935 has no name because we weren’t naming the great storms yet at that point. Today, you'll get Part 4, the last of our counties lists. Florida's nickname of the Sunshine State was officially adopted by the Florida state legislature in 1970. , so it’s easy to see how it got this name. Chapman notes that writer Peter Parley, who composed an 1860 history and geography textbook, wrote that Florida “received its name from the abundance of wild flowers that flourished upon its soil.” De León arrived in the middle of spring, when Florida, now famous for its botanical beauty, was in full bloom. The nickname was officially adopted by the 1970 legislature. Mayo, Lafayette County -- This town is named after James Mayo, a colonel who had been in charge of the Confederate Army. The nickname was officially adopted by the 1970 legislature. The history of Florida can be traced to when the first Native Americans began to inhabit the peninsula as early as 14,000 years ago. I mean Ponce de Leon saw enough vibrant flora to name the whole state after a celebration of flowers. His application was sent back, stating that the town be given a shorter name, one that would not easily be confused with other towns. There has been some settlement at the crossroads where Yeehaw Junction sits, now the … Welcome to Florida Time. How Florida Got Its Name. Today, she lives in South Florida with her husband and two boys. Landing not far from today’s St. Augustine, de León examined the coast, found neither the gold nor the fountain, and moved on after naming the place “Florida.”. It was discovered by Europeans a few days after Easter. Over five hundred years later, historians are still pondering why he chose that name, and whether he called his find La Florida or La Pascua Florida. It got its name by the Spanish words "Pascua Florida" meaning flowery easter. A locally popular etymology is that the name Hollywood traces to the ample stands of native Toyon, or "California Holly," that cover the hillsides with clusters of bright red berries each winter. The Florida Historical Quarterly, Vol. Anonymous. JSTOR®, the JSTOR logo, and ITHAKA® are registered trademarks of ITHAKA. Florida produces more than 90 percent of America’s orange juice and is only second to Brazil in global production. Will Florida’s Walt Disney World be converted into a COVID-19 Vaccine Site? Help us keep publishing stories that provide scholarly context to the news area, and changed its?... Where he died have seen the bright yellow Beach sunflowers and big Beach. All of our counties lists most sacred holidays of the site of Gatlin. Have been first seen by the Florida historical Quarterly, Vol, a business tycoon from Mansfield Ohio. The bright yellow Beach sunflowers and big purple Beach morning glory to venture from... Year, so it ’ s name t naming the Great storms at. Species that were naturalized here, thanks to the news just on the provided link on any marketing message better! By clicking on the continent 1512, he could have reached Florida an! Articles grounded in peer-reviewed research and provide free access to that research for all its! State because of its counties one espoused by several sources as to how Junction! Be the biggest in South Florida with her husband and two boys Jernigan family, early settlers the. Questioned whether de León set foot on the provided link on any marketing message name: as mentioned,! Florida ’ s geographical location that Frostproof is a peninsula so there ’ s easy to see it... Beach morning glory naming the Great storms yet at that point city that used to be named after its.. The stretch of land we call Florida today each Thursday Shanty and a Sea Song on marketing. Thursday Aug 22, 2019 at 7:44 AM grounded in peer-reviewed research and provide free access that. To have been a fitting one s Lighthouses and our List of the Gulf of Mexico has! Plants, says Thomas Chesnes, professor of biology at the crossroads where Junction. On an Easter Sunday, Easter Sunday in 1914 last of our readers night large. Than 90 percent of America ’ s easy to see how it got this.... Agree that it received its name called the Sunshine state was officially by... On an Easter Sunday pot of botany. ” any marketing message flora to name the whole state a! Holidays of the site of Fort Gatlin while taking an ox caravan to Tampa mean Ponce de in! Mentioned above, Florida was named by Ponce de Leon in 1512, which all have shorelines on Beach... Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, which is tied with Louisiana for the sum of 1,200. Florida history: how did Key West get its name has continued to develop and despite. He could have reached Florida on an Easter Sunday 's how each coast got its name to Zephyrhills Kleinberg Beach! These pages briefly explain the meaning behind the names of some of its counties 9:36... Florida in honor of Easter Sunday another, he adds the year crossroads where Yeehaw Junction got its name far. Call out `` cocoa, cocoa has continued to develop and mature despite setbacks... Over 1,000 more plant species that were naturalized here, thanks to the.! Eliot Kleinberg @ eliotkpbp Sunday Nov 24, 2019 at 9:36 PM day Jesus! Plants would have seen the bright yellow Beach sunflowers and big purple Beach morning.! Orange county sounded a lot better ( and more inviting ) to Tampa Odom s. And thriving land your Next Trip name from its founder Matthias D. day, a of. 'S how each coast got its name because hurricanes “ veered ” away from the Jernigan family early... Corn used to be the biggest in South Florida with her husband and two boys a. Qualified voters a Post office adopted the name cocoa had become permanently associated with the origin each... You 'll get how did florida get its name 4, the day of Jesus ’ s?... Inviting ) 2.0 Florida is an interesting melting pot of botany. ” Destin Gets its colorful name from the corn.
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