Page 192 - a-history-of-columbia-county-florida-(1996)-edward-f-keuchel

A History of Columbia County Florida (1996) Edward F. Keuchel 181/340

Chapter VIII
THE EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY: 1900 - 1930

In many ways the early part of the twentieth century was a
period of consolidation in contrast to the high growth rate of the
period 1876 to 1900. The population of the county had increased
32.7 percent from 1890 to 1900 advancing from 12,877 to 17,094.
However, from 1900 to 1910 the population only increased 3.5
percent advancing to 17,689, and it would show a decrease to
14,290 by 1920. During the decade of the 1920’s the population
would again show an increase, but only advancing to 14,630 by
1930.1.
A period of consolidation was not bad in itself, and the people
of the county took pride in their accomplishments. For example, a
new courthouse (the present structure) was built in 1901-1902 and
was symbolic of the pride of accomplishment which the county
experienced. There was good reason for such optimism. The
factors which had contributed to the county’s development during
the latter part of the nineteenth century were still in operation at
the dawn of the twentieth century. The area seemed secure in its
role as an important transportation hub of the state; the area’s
agriculture was strong; and the Florida Agricultural College
made the area a center of learning.
Understandably, residents of the county took pride in the
college, and its future seemed secure. In 1901 the millionaire
Standard Oil man and Florida railroad promoter Henry Flagler
gave $10,000 to the institution for a sorelyneeded gymnasium. The
gift was clouded somewhat because it was given shortly after the
state legislature had passed a special act on divorce which enabled
'Thirteenth Census of the U.S., 1910, Abstract, p. 34; Fourteenth Census of the
U.S., 1920, Population, Vol. Ill, p. 190; Fifteenth Census of the U.S., 1930,
Population, Vol. Ill, pt. 1, p. 404.

159

www.LakeCityHistory.com LCH-UUID: 02905885-C4E0-4A35-9DAE-804ED8349EC9