Fort White, Florida | |
|---|---|
 Top, left to right:Florida State Road 47 in Fort White, Fort White Train Depot,Fort White High School, Town of Fort WhiteHistorical Marker,Fort White Public School Historic District, Fort WhiteUnited Methodist Church | |
| Motto: "Home of the Ichetucknee River" | |
 Location inColumbia County and the state ofFlorida | |
| Coordinates:29°55′21″N82°42′49″W / 29.92250°N 82.71361°W /29.92250; -82.71361[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Columbia |
| Settled | 1836[2] |
| Incorporated | 1884[2][3][4] |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Council |
| Area | |
• Total | 2.41 sq mi (6.25 km2) |
| • Land | 2.41 sq mi (6.25 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 72 ft (22 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 618 |
| • Density | 256.0/sq mi (98.86/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 32038 |
| Area code | 386 |
| FIPS code | 12-24500[6] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2406511[1] |
| Website | fortwhitefl |
Fort White is a town inColumbia County, Florida, United States, named after amilitary fort built in the 1830s. It is the closest town toIchetucknee Springs State Park.Fort White High School and theFort White Public School Historic District are located within the town's borders. The original school building was constructed in 1915. As of the 2020 census, the population of Fort White was 618, up from 567 at the 2010 census. It is part of theLake City, FloridaMicropolitan Statistical Area.
Fort White was originally constructed as a military fort during theSecond Seminole War in 1836 to protect the Cow Creek settlement.[2] Supplies were brought in by steamboat on theSanta Fe River and distributed to other area forts. Due to sickness, flooding along the river and rumors of the railroad coming to the area, the settlement was moved 4 miles (6 km) east to its present location.[2]
A prominentSecond Seminole War leader,Halpatter Tustenuggee (Alligator Warrior) or "Chief Alligator", of Alligator Town (known asAlpata Telophka orHalapata Telofa in its indigenous language), now known asLake City, is buried at Tustenuggee Methodist Cemetery near Fort White. Before it was incorporated as Lake City, the white settlers called the community "Alligator", which was the partial English translation of the Native American community.[7][8]
Named after the military fort, in 1884, theTown of Fort White was officially incorporated and grew steadily, following the arrival of the railroad in 1888.[2][3][4]Phosphate mining, turpentine and agriculture (cotton and oranges) were the foundation of the economy, and the population grew to nearly 2,000. The boom turned to bust as severe freezes in the winters of 1896 and 1897 destroyed the local citrus industry.[2] By 1910, the largest phosphate deposits were depleted and mining ceased. Theboll weevil ended cotton farming beforeWorld War I, and the population shrank to a few hundred people, primarily farmers, ranchers and foresters.[2] The town's population in 1979 was 365.
The Town of Fort White is located in southern Columbia County at the intersection ofU.S. Route 27 andFlorida State Road 47. SR 47 leads north 20 miles (32 km) toLake City, the Columbia County seat, and south 23 miles (37 km) toTrenton. US 27 leads southeast 16 miles (26 km) toAlachua andInterstate 75, and west 13 miles (21 km) toBranford.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, Fort White has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km2), all land.[9] Most of the land surrounding the town is family farms and/or forests.
The locals have always known of and enjoyed the crystal clearIchetucknee River and springs, located 4 miles (6 km) northwest of the town. However, before 1970, the existence and location of this natural wonder were not widely known. The road to the spring was not paved, nor was it marked, because the spring was on private property. In 1970, the state of Florida purchased the Ichetucknee spring and river property from the Loncala Phosphate Corporation. Columbia County built a paved road, number 238, providing easier access to the springs. In 1972, the head spring of the river was declared aNational Natural Landmark by theU.S. Department of the Interior. The main tributary from Ichetucknee Springs became one of the most popular tubing destinations in the world, attracting up to 5,000 visitors each day during the summer. Others came to the river to swim, picnic, snorkel, scuba dive, and explore the nearby forests.[10]
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to theKöppen climate classification, the Town of Fort White has ahumid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 376 | — | |
| 1900 | 600 | 59.6% | |
| 1910 | 329 | −45.2% | |
| 1920 | 360 | 9.4% | |
| 1930 | 272 | −24.4% | |
| 1940 | 317 | 16.5% | |
| 1950 | 329 | 3.8% | |
| 1960 | 425 | 29.2% | |
| 1970 | 365 | −14.1% | |
| 1980 | 386 | 5.8% | |
| 1990 | 268 | −30.6% | |
| 2000 | 409 | 52.6% | |
| 2010 | 567 | 38.6% | |
| 2020 | 618 | 9.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[11] | |||
| Race | Pop 2010[12] | Pop 2020[13] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 334 | 406 | 58.91% | 65.70% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 171 | 149 | 30.16% | 24.11% |
| Native American orAlaska Native (NH) | 4 | 2 | 0.71% | 0.32% |
| Asian (NH) | 3 | 5 | 0.53% | 0.81% |
| Pacific Islander orNative Hawaiian (NH) | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 0.16% |
| Some other race (NH) | 1 | 2 | 0.18% | 0.32% |
| Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) | 12 | 12 | 2.12% | 1.94% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 42 | 41 | 7.41% | 6.63% |
| Total | 567 | 618 |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 618 people, 214 households, and 164 families residing in the town.[14]
As of the2010 United States census, there were 567 people, 311 households, and 169 families residing in the town.[15]
As of thecensus[6] of 2000, there were 409 people, 151 households, and 104 families residing in the town. The population density was 176.8 inhabitants per square mile (68.3/km2). There were 184 housing units at an average density of 79.5 per square mile (30.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 50.61%White, 46.70%African American, 0.24%Native American, 0.49%Asian, 0.24%Pacific Islander, and 1.71% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 3.42% of the population.
In 2000, there were 151 households, out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% weremarried couples living together, 19.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.35.
In 2000, in the town, the population was spread out, with 28.6% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 76.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.5 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the town was $26,250, and the median income for a family was $28,000. Males had a median income of $26,477 versus $26,667 for females. Theper capita income for the town was $10,578. About 24.1% of families and 26.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 23.0% of those under age 18 and 42.0% of those age 65 or over.
The town elects a mayor and four town council members who meet once each month. Water is provided through the city, but all residents utilize aseptic tank system for sewerage. Law enforcement is provided by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office who utilize a sub-station within the city limits. Fire protection is provided by the Columbia County Fire Department. Garbage collection is subcontracted to a private company. The Fort White Branch of theColumbia County Public Library system, which was previously located next to town hall, is across from Fort White High School. The county health clinic has a satellite office in Fort White which is open one day each week, but the nearest hospital facility is in Lake City.[16]
The Fort White Sports Complex was constructed in 2005 on 25 acres (10 ha) abutting the high school. Facilities include six baseball fields, two basketball courts and two tennis courts. Acommunity center was built on the site in 2008. Asenior citizen meal program operates at the center on weekdays.[16]
The public schools located within the Town of Fort White are served by theColumbia County School District.
The original Fort White High School was constructed during 1915, and an auditorium was added in 1936. Separate elementary school classrooms were completed in 1938.[17]
The last high school class to graduate was in 1969, about the same timedesegregation andintegration forced the closing of the black schools in the area. At that time, there weren't enough children to justify a high school in Fort White; students in grades 9–12 were bused 20 miles (32 km) toColumbia High School inLake City for over 30 years. AfterIchetucknee Springs State Park opened in 1971, the population in the south end of the county steadily grew to the point where the need for a local facility was substantiated.
A $25 million high school was completed in December 2000 for grades 6–12, having opened in August 2000, in temporary buildings because of construction delays. The school had been scheduled for completion in August 2000. Fort White High School graduated the first class in a generation in 2001. A new Fort White Middle School for grade 6 was completed prior to the 2008–2009 school year. The rest of the middle school (for grades 7 and 8) has recently been finished and is in use, though the middle and high school are still joined.
Municipalities and communities ofColumbia County, Florida,United States | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||