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A History of Columbia County Florida (1996) Edward F. Keuchel 84/340

An Expanding County in a Neiv State

buildings in Columbia County were destroyed in the hurricane of
1896 after which the present church was built.51
In many ways the beginnings of the 1860’s looked promising to
the people of Columbia County. The coming of the railroad seemed
only the start of a period of growth and development. Lake City
with its new name was established as the major junction on the rail
line extending from Tallahassee to the Atlantic, and the future
promised more. Unfortunately the county would soon become
engulfed in the events of the Civil War, a war which would witness
the best and the worst of what mankind has to offer. For Columbia
County the war would bring about an end to the slave plantation
system and the beginning of one of the most troubled periods in its
history.

•M Montgomery, “Church History.” Besides Bethlehem Lutheran and Mt. Tabor
Methodist, Montgomery notes that the hurricane of 1896 also destroyed the
Presbyterian churches in Mt. Tabor, Mikesville, Fort White, and Branford, plus
Tustenuggee Methodist, Bethlehem Baptist and others.

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