Union County
The 61st County in the State of Florida was created by an Act of the Legislature on May 20, 1921.

Union County
(History was provided by Mrs. Marjorie McGill Driggers.)

Note:  UNION COUNTY IS NOT THE 63rd COUNTY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA; IT WAS ASSIGNED THE TAG NUMBER 63 IN 1959 BASED ON THE NUMBER OF TAGS SOLD IN THE COUNTY.  

   The 61st County in the State of Florida was created by an Act of the Legislature on May 20, 1921. The bill was signed in the Governor's office creating Union County by Florida Secretary to Governor M.L. Dawson, Honorable E.M.Johns of Bradford County, Honorable C.H. Register of Union County, Honorable S.D. Edge of Lake County, Honorable T.G.Futch of Lake County, Governor Cary H. Hardee, Honorable D.E. Knight, Senator of Bradford County. The county began functioning on October 1, 1921 and was called Union County, deriving its name from the word "Unity" which the citizens hoped would help to unify the peoples of the several communities. In 1812, when St.Johns County was established, it embraced all of Florida east of the Suwannee River. Duval County was created in 1822 and we remained a part of this county for the next six years. From November 23, 1828 to February 4, 1832 we were part of Alachua County, at which time Columbia County was created. New River County and Suwannee Counties were created from New River. The remaining portion of New River was changed to Bradford, being named in honor of Major Bradford, who was the first Confederate Officer from the State of Florida to lose his life in the Civil War.

     Following the war, several elections were held to determine if Lake Butler or Starke would be the county seat of Bradford County. For over 50 years, the citizens of the areas argued over the place of the courthouse, moving it back and forth four times during these years. In a decision that would have probably shocked the patriots of old, the county was finally cut in two and each of the competing towns became the county seat of its own area. Union County was the smallest county in the area in the state of Florida (156,800 acres, 240 square miles).

    In order to form Union County, Bradford County was divided. All that part of Bradford County west of New River, which divided the latter north and south, was given to Union County. In order to trace the genesis of Union County, a start must be made with St. John County, which was created July 21, 1921 after Florida had become a territory of the United States. St Johns County then embraced all of Florida east of the Suwannee River; and all west of the Suwannee River was given the name of Escambia.

    On the 20th of May, 1921, an act providing for the creation of Union County was presented in the State Legislature (Laws of Florida, Chapter 8516, No. 121) as follows:

    Section 1.  That the County of Union be and the same is hereby created and established to exist as a county of the State of Florida from and after the first day of October, 1921. Said County shall comprise and include all that portion of the political division of the State of Florida known as Bradford County, lying west of a line through said Bradford County as follows to-wit: Beginning at a point on the line now dividing Bradford and Baker counties, State of Florida, where the bed of New River intersects said line and following the meanderings of the bed of said New River in a southwesterly direction to the bed of the Santa Fe River.

     Section 2.  The said County shall be a part of the second Congressional District; a part of the Fifteenth Senatorial District and a part of the Eighth Judicial Circuit, and said County shall have one member in the House of Representative of Florida.

    Section 3.  The City of Lake Butler shall be the temporary county seat of said county.

    Section 4.  The Governor of the State shall on or before the first day of October 1921, appoint all officers to which county may be entitled under the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida.

    Section 5.  It shall be the duty of the Board of County Commissioners of Union County to hold their first meeting on the first Monday in October, 1921, and at said meeting they shall make arrangements for temporarily carrying on the County Government, and shall perform such duties as may be required of them by law.

    Section 6.  It shall be the duty of the Board of Public Instruction of Union County to hold their first meeting on the first Tuesday in October 1921.

     After the creation of Union County in May 1921, a political meeting was held at the Masonic Hall for the purpose of electing delegates to the Political Convention that were to nominate the first County Officers to serve Union County. It was determined that delegates were to be elected from each county precinct, based upon population. Dr. Seeber King nominated a list of delegates; nominations were seconded, and the delegates as nominated were elected. On the appointed date, the delegates all met at the Schoolhouse for the purpose of voting on the various county officers - some of the delegates that served at the convention were:

  Joe Hill Williams
  Ralph Glover
  C.A. Roberts
  N.E. Roberts
  Dr. J.E. Maines
  S.A. Bryan

 and a number of other from throughout the county whose names are not available. The names of the nominees for the various offices were submitted to Governor Cary A. Hardee. They were duly appointed by him.

    To celebrate the creation of this new county, a big celebration was held at the fairgrounds. The first county officials appointed by the Governor were:

  S.T. Dowling           Clerk of Circuit Court
  A.C. Strickland       County Judge
  W.S. Brannen Jr     Sheriff
  O.L. Mizell             Superintendent of Schools;
  P.M. Padgett          Tax Assessor
  G.C. Driggers         Tax Collector
  G.A. Epperson       Supervisor of Registration

    A big celebration was held at the fairgrounds (on SR 121 near the Public Housing Project) to celebrate the creation of our new county. These fairgrounds had been used for many years for county fairs which were enjoyed by people from far and near. It was surrounded by a high board fence. For this occasion, Schelle Maines, a young lawyer, made the principal address at the dedication ceremony. Also a large paper boat "Union County" made by Mr. H. Blake, an Englishman artist living in our community, was christened with a bottle of Coca Cola by little Miss Willie Mae Johnson (Mills) and little Miss Bernice Roberts (Holmes). It was an all day celebration with plenty of food and entertainment.

AS IS WAS IN THE BEGINNING:  The 61st county of the State of Florida was created by an act of the State Legislature in May of 1921. It began functioning as a county October 1, 1921 and was called Union County.

  1921 Board of County Commissioners
  C. Roberts              District 1
  W.H. Andrews       District 2
  S.M. Dukes            District 3
  A.H. Williams         District 4
  H.H. Williams         District 5
 
  1921 Union County Officials
  S.T. Dowling            Clerk of Circuit Court
  W.S. Brannen Jr       Sheriff
  A.C. Strickland         Judge
  P.M. Padgett            Tax Assessor
  G.C. Driggers           Tax Collector
  G.A. Epperson          Supervisor of Registration
  Joe Hill Williams        County Attorney
  L. T. Dyer (1926)     Agricultural Agent
  O.L. Mizelle             County School Supt.

  1921 Union County School Board
  J.O. Dennison    District 1
  A.T. Mizelle       District 2
  N.H. Stokes      District 3

  1921 Supervisors of Schools
  John Harden     New Zion
  J.J. Nettles        Swift Creek
  T.P. Renfroe     Nebo
  J.W.Nesmith     Riverside
  J.J. Johnson       Liberty

  1921 State Officials
  A.V. Long                  Circuit Judge
  A.S. Crews                 States Attorney
  D.E. Knight                State Senator
  Charles H. Register     State Representative

    In 1922 a corrugated iron and wooden two-story building was built on the present courthouse square. This building was located on the southwest corner of the square surrounded by stately oaks. Later, a park was made in the same block, with a covered well, where folks would gather on Saturday's when they came to town to do their trading and visiting. Later that year, a county jail was built on the northwest corner of the square.

     In 1936, the present brick courthouse was built as a WPA project at the cost of $38,000.00. The old courthouse was given to the Lake Butler Woman's Club, and has been used through the years as a Civic Center, Health Department, American Legion, Scouts and Civic groups, Neighborhood Service Center, and many other activities. In 1969, the courthouse was extensively remodeled, and two wings were added, making it one of the most attractive and comfortable buildings in this area.  

    The name Union is derived from the common term expressing unity. In the past years, there had been so much division and strife between the two sections of Bradford County over the location of the county seat which was moved several times between Lake Butler and Starke. This seemed a fitting name for our new county. We today appreciate the name given our county and strive to make its name stand for the united efforts of each citizen to help make Union County a better place to live.

    Mr. D.F. McDonald, Editor of the first Newspaper of Union County, which was a small pamphlet size paper, wrote this poem to try to heal the evil thoughts of the residents of the counties:

HAIL UNION COUNTY

    Union County heals today Lake Butler's many wounds.
Look back two hundred twice, and two and forty moons.
You'll see the time when Starke, alone, with booze and worthless "Coons".
    Took from us our very life, made midnight of our noon's;
Like New Orleans when Butler sacked the place for silver spoons.
Let's stand together as one man - a long unbroken row:
And let's forgive that ugly past and brand new vigor show.
To all who feel, to all who see, and all of those who know.
That justice here now reigns again, and we survive that blow.
Just watch our Baby County now, and Old Lake Butler grow.

    Lake Butler was named the County Seat of Union County and the first Courthouse was in rented offices, but in 1922 a corrugated iron and wooden two-story building was built for this purpose. This building was located on the southwest corner of the square, surrounded by stately oaks. Later, a park was made in this same block here, in the center of our little town, with white benches and a covered well with the best drinking water in the world. People came from far and near on Saturday to trade and the park was usually filled with visitors. Later that year, the county jail was built on the northwest corner of the square.

    During the late 20's and early 30's, known as the Depression Years, times were hard and money was scarce. The NRA, WPA, and many other federal projects were launched to help the economy of the country. In 1936, our present brick Courthouse was built as a WPA project at the cost of $38,000.00. The old Courthouse was given to the Lake Butler Woman's Club. It was converted into a Community Center and used for many years as the Union County Health Center, American Legion Meeting place, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Teen Town, and many other community activities.

    The years 1939-1945 are remembered by many as the Second World War. Many men and women from our county served in the service of their country. Camp Blanding and the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville and other subsidiary airfields employed many civilians of this section of Florida. Near Lake Butler was a sub-airport of the Lake City Naval Air Station, and was used extensively during this period.

    About 1950, the old jail was dismantled and the new jail was constructed on the north side of the Courthouse. The Courthouse was extensively remodeled in 1969 and two wings were added, making it one of the most attractive and comfortable building in this area.

    Union County has an area of 156,800 acres, 240 square miles, population (according to the 1970 census) of 8112, and real estate valued at $21,444,003. The principal industries of the county are forestry, poultry, and general farming. The Owens Illinois Corporation own 75,027 acres in Union County and contribute much to the economy of the county.

    The Union County Health Department has served the people since August 1946 with Dr. A.Y. Covington as director. He is assisted by Mrs. Evelyn Mann- Public Health Nurse, Mrs. Mary Lou Whitehead-Secretary, and Mr. Glenn Howard-Sanitarian. They are located in the former Civic Center. The Neighborhood Service Center also has headquarters here with directors Mary Kimble and Ina Claire Arnold.

    The Union County Road Department is located on SR 121 west Lake Butler. Mr. George Langley has served as Road Superintendent for many years. Others working for the department are Kenny Bishop, Lawrence Freeman, Archie Clemons, Lawrence Moore, and Herman Lee. The Inspection Station is also located here.

    Mr. W. J. Cowen, our County Agent for many years, is our Cooperative Extension Service Representative, a branch of the University of Florida, and is always ready to assist individuals, small groups, or communities to find answers to their problems, particularly any which will affect those people involved in any way in agriculture. Miss Shirley Bridgeman is the Secretary.

    The A.S.C.S. Program has been active in our county since abut 1934. Mr. Garnet L. Dukes is the County Executive Director and Mrs. Lavanda Ripplinger serves as Clerk. The County Committee includes Lowell Shadd-Chairman, Olen Parrish-Co-Chairman, and Maurice Brown Jr.

    The Union County Farm Bureau was organized in 1942 and has a very active organization in our county. Their attractive office on SR 121 is an added asset to the organization. Mr. Donald M. Hale is the Service Agent, with Mrs. Dannielle Davis as County Office Secretary.

  Officers were:
  Ray Crawford-President
  Olen Parrish-Vice-President
  John L. Shadd-Secretary-Treasurer

  Directors were:
  Mrs. Zeluan Crawford
  Mr. and Mrs. Wilford Croft
  Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Addison
  Mrs. A.C. Saunders.
 

Tracing the History of Union County

    In order to trace the early history of the county, it is necessary to go back as far as possible to the beginning of our beloved state of Florida, discovered by Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513 and claimed by Spain. He landed on the east coast on Easter Sunday, which in Spanish is called Pascua Florida, or flowery Easter. Ponce de Leon named the land Florida because he saw so many brilliant flowers in bloom. At this time, several thousand Indians lived in this region.
 
    In 1562 - 1564, Hugenots (Protestants from France) attempted to establish settlements in Florida on the St. Johns River. They built Fort Caroline in 1564. In 1565 the Spanish founded St. Augustine, the oldest permanent white settlement in the United States. The Spaniards killed most of the French settlers, and kept their hold on the Florida region for almost 200 years more. In 1698, they founded a fort at Pensacola to hold back the French colonists in the Louisiana region.

    After the French and Indian Wars ended in 1763, Florida was ceded to England in exchange for the city of  Havanna, Cuba. The part of the Louisiana Territory lying East of the Mississippi was added to Florida. English colonists came to Florida from Carolina and Georgia. The English divided the area into East and West Florida. West Florida lay west of the Apalachiola River and included parts of what are now Alabama and Mississippi. East Florida included the rest of the present-day Florida. The English bribed the Indians to keep peace and expanded trade. Thousands of Loyalists fled to East Florida after the Revolutionary War began. They founded towns and established plantations.

    The Spanish captured West Florida from the English between 1779 and 1781 during the Revolutionary War. All Florida again became a Spanish possession in 1783 and remained under Spain's rule until 1821. Spain was a weak country during this period, and the region became the refuge of runaway slaves, thieving Indians, and dangerous adventurers.

    American settlers in West and East Florida started insurrections in the early 1800's to win Florida for the United States. In 1814, an army led by General Andrew Jackson seized Pensacola, which the Spaniards had allowed the English to use as a naval base during the War of 1812. Four years later, Jackson's army stormed through the region between Pensacola and the Suwannee River to punish the Indians for attacks on the Georgia border. Jackson captured Fort Saint Marks and Pensacola.

    The United States purchased Florida from Spain in 1819. They did not actually pay any money to Spain, but agreed to pay $5,000.000.00 for damages by Spaniards to the property of American citizens. Spain formerly transferred the territory to the U. S. in 1821. Andrew Jackson was appointed the provincial governor of Florida, with headquarters at Pensacola. Counties of Escambia and Saint Johns were organized into governmental units. Congress organized the Territory of Florida in 1822 and William P. Duval served as the first territorial Governor, a position he held for 12 years. Four governors succeeded him before the territory became a state.

    From July 21, 1821 to August 22, 1822 , we were part of St. Johns County. Duval County was created in 1822 and we remained a part of this county for the next six years.

    The area now known as Union County was a part of Alachua County from November 23, 1828 until February 4, 1832 at which time Columbia County was created. We were a part of this county and remained so until December 21, 1858 at which time the area was divided into three counties: Columbia, Suwannee, and New River. New River County was created in 1858 and the town of Lake Butler was surveyed and designated as the County Seat. The wooden Courthouse was located on the square where the present Courthouse in now located. On December 6, 1861, by an Act of the Legislature, the name of the county was changed from New River to Bradford in honor of Major Bradford who was the first Confederate Officer from the State of Florida to lose his life in the Civil War. After the war, several elections were held to determine if Lake Butler or Starke should be the county seat of Bradford County. Finally, about the time of the Spanish American War, around 1898, Starke was victorious in the Courthouse election and Starke became the County Seat. Under the law, Courthouse election could not be held for 20 years. In 1921, more than 20 years had elapsed since the last Courthouse election, and a movement was initiated to either divide the county or hold another Courthouse election. It was determined by the political leaders of Bradford County that it would be in the best interest of the county to divide Bradford County and create another county rather than have another Courthouse election.

    Thousands of American settlers soon came to this frontier plantation area of the South. The government's main problems were to open new lands and to develop transportation systems. Indians also continued to make trouble. In 1835, the Seminole, who had come to Florida after 1750, massacred Major Francis L. Dade and his troops. This incident started the seven year Seminole war. Hundreds of white settlers and most of the Seminole were killed during this struggle. In this area of the state, several forts were erected to protect the settlers from the Indians. Fort Call was near the Dukes settlement and Fort Clinch was on the northern banks of Lake Butler. Beginning of Union County.

Piney Bay Bay
Last Update: 11/11/10 09:20:59 AM
Copyright © 1997-2010 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Disclaimer - Privacy Statement
Back to the Top