Palatka
Florida
City Of Palatka
History
'Palatka' is a contraction of an Indian word meaning 'cow crossing' or 'cow ford'. The original was some variation of 'Pilaklikaha' or 'Pilotaikita.' Originally spelled 'PIlatka', the City Charter, approved on January 8, 1853,had the name spelled 'Palatka', sparking a debate as to the "correct" spelling which would last another twenty-two years until the U. S. Post Office officially changed the spelling to 'Palatka' on May 24, 1875 so as
not to cause confusion with the town of 'Picolata'.
As early as 1655 the Spanish were developing Palatka, as well as Gainesville and Tallahassee into the state's three principal ranching areas to feed the settlers particularly in the St. Augustine area where the slaughterhouses were located. Palatka became the main forging point for the cattle to cross the St. Johns River on their way to the slaughterhouse.
In 1763 when the British took possession of Florida all Spanish land holdings were declared null and void and the Spanish left the state.
On an expedition in April 1774 William Bartram, a British Botanist, wrote of finding an Indian village on the site of present day Palatka. The village included a large cultivated orange grove and several hundred acres of corn, potatoes, beans, squash, melons and tobacco.
After the war for Independence broke out Florida became a haven for loyal British subjects and Florida population swelled from 3,000 in 1776 to 17,000 in 1784. One such immigrant, Joshua Gray, an unmarried mulatto farmer and Indian interpreter received 1,500 acres, which is known as the Palatka Tract today or "Gray's Place".
The 1890s ended Palatka's golden age. The railroad, while continuing to be of importance, could no longer compete with Jacksonville. The steamships were reduced to operating only during the tourist season.
The "Great Freezes" of 1894-1895 virtually wiped out Palatka's citrus industry forever.
After the great freeze Palatka expanded industrially expanding the number of industries especially those dependent upon wood or its byproducts. Wilson Cypress Company became the largest cypress mill in the world producing 80,000 feet of lumber and 60,000 shingles daily. By 1910 Palatka had become the major industrial center it is today.
Recent News
City Of Palatka - Adoption of Impact Fees
NOTICEis hereby given that the City Commission of the City of Palatka, Florida adopted the following entitled Ordinance 2023-05 on February 9, 2023, setting new impact fees: An ordinance of the city of palatka, florida, to be known as the city of…
Read More »City Of Palatka News Notice Of Intent To Award DMS Alternate Contract Source
NOTICE OF INTENDED DECISION TO AWARD DMS Alternate Contract Source (ACS) No 43190000-22-NASPO-ACS for Purchase of Public Safety Communication Equipment RECOMMENDED AWARD: DMS Alternate Contract Source (ACS) No 43190000-22-NASPO-ACS for…
Read More »City Of Palatka News Notice Of Intended Decision To Award ITB 2022-23 ST Johns River Center Mold Remediation
NOTICE OF INTENDED DECISION TO AWARD ITB 2022-23 ST Johns River Center Mold Remediation OPENING DATE: November 30, 2022 RECOMMENDED AWARD: ServPro of Putnam DATE AND TIME OF POSTING January 3, 2023 DATE AND TIME POSTING REMOVED January 6,…
Read More »City Of Palatka News Notice Of Intended Decision To Award Rfp 2022-20 Grant Writing And Administration
NOTICE OF INTENDED DECISION TO AWARD RFP 2022-20 Grant Writing and Administration OPENING DATE: October 7, 2022 RECOMMENDED AWARD: GENERAL POOL: 1. Hanson Professional Services, 2. Fred Fox Enterprises, 3. Ayres Associates, 4. North Florida…
Read More »City Of Palatka Collective Bargaining Negotiations With The Fire Union
CITY OF PALATKA COLLECTIVE BARGAINING NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE FIRE UNION The City of Palatka will hold collective bargaining negotiations between the Palatka City Manager and the Professional Firefighters of Palatka on December 29, 2022 at 10:00 AM…
Read More »City Of Palatka News Final Public Presentation By AE Engineering
Business Incubator & Feasibility Study Final Presentation on November 22, 2022 at 6:00 PM at City Hall, 201 N. 2nd St., Palatka, FL 32177
Read More »City Of Palatka News - Proposed Ordinances 2022-27 and 2022-28
Proposed Ordinances 2022-27 and 2022-28 NOTICE is hereby given the City Commission of the City of Palatka, Florida, will consider the enactment of the following entitled Ordinances 2022-27 and 2022-28: Ordinance 2022-27: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY…
Read More »City Of Palatka News : St. Johns Ave Palm to Moseley Update October 13, 2022
Attention: Residents living on St Johns Ave and related side streets between S. Palm Ave and Moseley Ave. Service Interruption: Your water will be temporarily disconnected for 2-6 hours sometime during the period from 10/24 to 11/21. New potable…
Read More »City Of Palatka News Halloween Trick or Treat Hours
Please be advised, during regular session on October 13, 2022, the Palatka City Commission took action to set the date and time for Halloween Trick-or-Treat in the City limits of Palatka for Monday, October 31, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. …
Read More »City Of Palatka News - Notice of Intent to Award 2022-16 Hot Mixed Asphalt
Click here to Read More Information About City Of Palatka News - Notice of Intent to Award 2022-16 Hot Mixed Asphalt
Read More »City Of Palatka News - Sign Up For News Flashes For Information On City Streetscape And Road Construction
The City of Palatka has several large infrastructure projects ongoing in our community. While we ask you to “pardon our dust” as we work to shine the Gem City, we are committed to keeping property owners informed of the ongoing work…
Read More »City Of Palatka News Palatka Collective Bargaining Negotiationswith The Fire Union
The City of Palatka will hold collective bargaining negotiations between the Palatka City Manager and the Professional Firefighters of Palatka on August 5, 2022 at 11:00 AM at City Hall 201 N. 2nd St., Palatka, FL 32177. This notice is being given…
Read More »City Of Palatka Notice Of Annual Hearing To Impose And Provide For Collection Of Non-Ad Valorem Spec
City Of Palatka Notice Of Annual Hearing To Impose And Provide For Collection Of Non-Ad Valorem Special Assessments To Fund In Part The Costs Associated With The Continual Readiness To Provide Fire Protection The property subject to assessment…
Read More »City Of Palatka Collective Bargaining Negotiations With The Fire Union
CITY OF PALATKA COLLECTIVE BARGAINING NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE FIRE UNION The City of Palatka will hold collective bargaining negotiations between the Palatka City Manager and the Professional Firefighters of Palatka on August 1, 2022 at 1:00 PM at…
Read More »City Of Palatka News Palatka Municipal Airport Hosting Annual JointMilitary Training Exercise
PALATKA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT Lt. Jasper Kennedy “Kay” Larkin Field (28J) Press Release: July 13, 2022 For more information, contact Yul McNair, Airport Manager, City of Palatka [email protected]; 386-983-4861…
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