Lake City, Florida

Lake City is a city located in Columbia County, Florida. It is the Columbia County seat. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 9,980. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 10,699 . It is the county seat of Columbia County{{GR|6}}.

History

The site of Lake City was a Native American village of the Seminole Tribe named Alpata Telophka, meaning "Alligator Town". By 1830 a white American town called Alligator was adjacent to the Seminole town. The city was incorporated and changed to its current name in 1856. The American Civil War Battle of Olustee took place near Lake City in February of 1864.

Related Topics:
Native American - Seminole - Alligator - 1830 - 1856 - American Civil War - Battle of Olustee - 1864

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By the early 20th century Lake City had became an important railroad junction, served by the Seaboard Air Line, Atlantic Coast Line, Georgia Southern, and the Florida Railroad. Agricultural products of the area include tobacco, maize, peanuts, cotton, melons, and various fruits and vegetables. By 1950 it had a population of 7,467 people.

Related Topics:
20th century - Railroad - Tobacco - Maize - Peanut - Cotton - Melon - Fruit - Vegetable - 1950

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Every February since 1976 Lake City has hosted the Olustee Battle Festival & Re-Enactment. Lake City also holds its Alligator Fest each October.

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Lake City is the headquarters for the Oceola National Forest.

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Lake City and Columbia County, Florida are known as "The Gateway to Florida" because Interstate 75 runs though them, carrying a large percentage of Florida's tourist and trade traffic, and Lake City is the first sizable town/city in Florida on Interstate 75. Although Lake City has fewer than 10,000 residents, it serves as the only significant city in Columbia County (pop. ~60,000) and is thriving and growing rapidly.

Related Topics:
Columbia County, Florida - Florida

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