Spring 2021 Newsletter

COUNTY SPOTLIGHT: LEON COUNTY

Leon County, originally part of Escambia County, was created by the territorial legislature in 1824 with Tallahassee as the county seat and state capital. The city of Tallahassee was incorporated in 1825 following a decision by the legislature to locate the capital of the new Florida territory mid- way between the population centers of St. Augustine and Pensacola. Named for Ponce de Leon, Leon County was one of the most populous and prosperous counties in Florida. Tallahassee, named for the “Old Fields” that it once encompassed, earned the title early in the 16th century from the Apalachee Indians who inhabited the area. Today, Tallahassee exempli- fies not only the influence of the Indian, but also that of the Spanish, French and English who oc- cupied the area in succession. Leon County’s rolling landscape, typical of regions further north, is unique among the major cities of Florida. Some areas of the county, including the downtown ridge, consisting of the capitol com- plex, city hall, and the county courthouse, exceed elevations of 200 feet. The highest elevation in Leon County is 288 feet, found in the northern parts of the county. To the south of the city, the hills yield to the flat terrain that is typical throughout the peninsula of Florida.

The northern soils are the perfect recipe for sustaining the picturesque live oak trees with characteristic Span- ish moss growing from heavy branches. The beauty of canopy roads, created by these old live oaks, along with the rolling terrain have played an important role in the direction of growth in the county. The roadways, with their canopied effect, are held in high esteem by resi- dents and visitors alike. Nine roads within Leon County have been officially designated as “ canopy roads ” and enjoy limits on roadside development, serving to pro- tect the trees.

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Spring 2021 Newsletter of the FCIAAO