165 years ago
October 1836 - The Second Seminole War (1835-1842), resulted from the efforts of the United States to remove the Seminole Indians from Florida. A number of forts were established to house and protect the military, volunteers, and
mercenaries who took part in this seven year struggle. Several of the forts were located in present day Levy County. One such fort established the October of 1836 was Fort Clinch. The fort was located within 10 miles of the mouth of the Withlacoochee River on the north bank. Originally called Reid`s Depot, the post was renamed Fort Clinch in honor of General Duncan Lamont Clinch. The Fort was abandoned in May 1842. 96 years ago 05 February 1906 - F.M. Dobson, Agent for the construction firm of Wagener & Dobson submitted a bid proposal for the erection of a new courthouse building in compliance with the specifications prepared by the Montgomery Architectural
Company. The plans and specifications for the Levy County Courthouse are the same as the original plans and specifications for the Bradford County Courthouse as built by F.M. Dobson and the building will be a duplicate in every respect. The said building to cost Levy County $15,000. 52 years ago 1950 August 18 - The Office of the District Engineer, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, Jacksonville, Florida issued a "Certificate of Clearance" concerning the Boundaries of the Levy County Air to Ground Bombing Range. The Corps of Engineers certified that the area had been given a careful visual search and had been cleared of all dangerous and/or explosive materials reasonably possible to detect. The search found 6 - 2000lb M-66 bombs, 7 - 5000lb An-M-58 bombs, 9 - 1000lb AN.M-44 bombs, and 3 - 6lb M-69 Incendiaries H.E. bombs, which were destroyed in place. The gunnery range, which was located in Township 14 South Range 13 East, is within the Lower Suwannee Wildlife Refuge north of Shell Mound. From the Levy County Archives & History Center |
