Experience a rich tapestry of history with this captivating 1839 map of Florida by H. S. Tanner. This exceptional map, an artifact of early 19th century Florida, beautifully illustrates a time when many of the state's major cities were just nascent settlements or hadn't been established yet. Some of the modern metropolises you know today might even be spotted under their earlier names, serving as a fascinating testament to the region's dynamic evolution.
Tanner's superior craftsmanship allows this map to offer much more than geographical knowledge. It is an historical dialogue, highlighting the settlements that were officially founded by 1839, and gives viewers an intriguing perspective on the transformation of Florida over the centuries. This old map's charm and value come not only from what it reveals but also from what it omits – those yet-to-be-founded towns that would one day shape Florida's identity. This unique interplay of revealed and concealed history makes this map an invaluable keepsake for collectors and history enthusiasts alike.
List of 30 settlements with descriptions (in order of modern day population size)
- Jacksonville (1791): Florida's most populous city, known for its extensive park system.
- Miami (1825): A major center for finance, commerce, culture, arts, and international trade.
- Tampa (1824): Home to a diverse range of architectural styles and historic districts.
- St. Petersburg (1833): Known for its beautiful beaches and a vibrant arts scene.
- Tallahassee (1824): The capital of Florida and an important center for trade and agriculture.
- Fort Lauderdale (1838): Known as the "Venice of America" due to its expansive and intricate canal system.
- Gainesville (1821): The city is home to the University of Florida, the state's largest and oldest university.
- Clearwater (1821): Known for its beautiful beaches and as a spiritual headquarters for the Church of Scientology.
- Pensacola (1698): Florida's oldest European settlement, its natural harbor has long made it a hub of naval activity.
- Key West (1822): The southernmost point in the continental United States, known for its conch-style houses and coral reefs.
- Palm Beach (1838): Known for its wealthy living and high-end boutiques.
- St. Augustine (1565): The oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the continental US.
- Sarasota (1824): Known for its vibrant arts community, environmental and scientific institutes, and its many sandy beaches.
- New Smyrna Beach (1768): Known for its small town charm, excellent beaches and rich history.
- Fernandina Beach (1821): Known for its well-preserved Victorian-era architecture.
- Naples (1824): Known for its high-end shopping, golf courses, and proximity to the wilderness of the Everglades.
- Apalachicola (1827): Known for its seafood, particularly oysters, and historic downtown.
- Ft. Myers (1821): Known for its beaches, fishing, and shopping, it is a gateway to the Southwest Florida region.
- Tarpon Springs (1823): Known for its historic downtown district, sponge docks, and Greek community.
- Palatka (1821): Known for its historic district, it was a major trading post in Florida's early history.
- Sanford (1836): Known for its downtown historic district filled with art galleries, shops, and restaurants.
- Micanopy (1821): Known for its antique stores and canopy roadways of live oaks draped in Spanish moss.
- Key Largo (1822): Known as the Dive Capital of the World because of its living coral reef a few miles offshore.
- Mount Dora (1836): Known for its antique shops and annual festivals.
- Dade City (1824): Known for its antique stores and old Florida charm.
- Punta Gorda (1824): Known for its historic district, parks, and Fisherman's Village.
- Fellsmere (1838): Known for its Frog Leg Festival, which draws thousands of visitors.
- Indian Key (1824): Once the county seat for Dade County, it is now an uninhabited ghost town and state park.
Notable boundaries, rivers, canyons, indian territories, and natural phenomena
- St. Johns River: The longest river in Florida, known for its recreational activities.
- Everglades National Park: A significant feature known for its unique ecosystem.
- Seminole Indian Territory: Known for the Seminole Wars, the land is rich in history.
Historical events between 1810 and 1840
- The First Seminole War (1817-1818): Andrew Jackson invades Spanish Florida and claims it for the United States.
- Adams-Onís Treaty (1819): Spain cedes Florida to the U.S., effective in 1821.
- Second Seminole War (1835-1842): The longest and most costly of the Indian conflicts.
- Territorial Period (1822-1845): During this period, Florida transitioned from a frontier territory into a state.
Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.
This map looks great at all sizes: 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x30in (61x76cm), 32x40in (81.5x102cm), 40x50in (102x127cm), 48x60in (122x153cm) and 56x70in (142x178cm), but
it looks even better when printed large.
I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 100in (254cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for
larger, customised or different framing options.
The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40.5x51cm) version of this map.
The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.
Please note the unframed 24x30in (61x76cm) map has white edges around the map. These edges can help you with framing, or if you don’t need them they are very easy to snip off with scissors. All other maps, including the framed maps, look exactly like the listing images.
If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my main collection of USA and North America maps.
Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.
This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.
This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.