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Jackson County, Florida
Historic Sites and Research
Historic Sites and Research
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Marianna
Founded in 1827 by Robert and Anna Marie
Beveridge, Marianna is a Southern historical and
architectural treasure.
Although many stories are given for the origin of
the city's unique name, the true account appears in
the Beveridge family Bible. Robert Beveridge,
according to a statement in the Bible, came up with
the name Marianna by combining the name of his
wife, Anna Marie, with the name of the wife of a
business partner.
Already wealthy by the time they arrived in
Florida, the Beveridges acquired three 80 acre tracts
on a high hill overlooking the upper Chipola River.
Here, in 1827, they sold lots for the town of
Marianna.
Almost immediately the community became
involved in an intense political battle with the
nearby town of Webbville over which would
become the county seat. Webbville was awarded
the title by the U.S. Congress, but Florida's
territorial legislature threatened to fine any public
official who refused to conduct business from the
courthouse in Marianna. This was enough to cause
a shift of county business from Webbville to
Marianna. The latter community prospered and
Webbville soon vanished from sight.
Robert and Anna Marie Beveridge left Marianna in
the 1830s for the new coastal boom town of St.
Joseph. He died there in a massive yellow fever
outbreak. Although there is a legend that she is
buried in Marianna's Riverside Cemetery, there is
no evidence to support the story.
By the time of the Civil War, Marianna had
emerged as a small but wealthy and politically
powerful community. Florida's Confederate
Governor, John Milton, lived on his Sylvania
plantation near Blue Spring.
Jackson County's importance as a major farming
district resulted in Marianna being designated a
commissary center at which supplies were
collected for shipment to the Southern armies in
the field.
On September 27, 1864, a Union cavalry force
attacked the city. Confederate troops and local
civilians put up a spirited defense in what came to
be remembered locally as the Battle of Marianna.
The engagement resulted in a number of casualties
and the destruction of two homes and St. Luke's
Episcopal Church. A number of local men and
boys were captured and taken away to Northern
prison camps. More than 600 enslaved laborers
were freed from area farms.
The attempt to adjust to the new order of things
after the war resulted in nearly a decade of terror
and violence. Reconstruction proved an extremely
violent time in Jackson County as more than 100
people died in violent outbreaks.
Beveridge, Marianna is a Southern historical and
architectural treasure.
Although many stories are given for the origin of
the city's unique name, the true account appears in
the Beveridge family Bible. Robert Beveridge,
according to a statement in the Bible, came up with
the name Marianna by combining the name of his
wife, Anna Marie, with the name of the wife of a
business partner.
Already wealthy by the time they arrived in
Florida, the Beveridges acquired three 80 acre tracts
on a high hill overlooking the upper Chipola River.
Here, in 1827, they sold lots for the town of
Marianna.
Almost immediately the community became
involved in an intense political battle with the
nearby town of Webbville over which would
become the county seat. Webbville was awarded
the title by the U.S. Congress, but Florida's
territorial legislature threatened to fine any public
official who refused to conduct business from the
courthouse in Marianna. This was enough to cause
a shift of county business from Webbville to
Marianna. The latter community prospered and
Webbville soon vanished from sight.
Robert and Anna Marie Beveridge left Marianna in
the 1830s for the new coastal boom town of St.
Joseph. He died there in a massive yellow fever
outbreak. Although there is a legend that she is
buried in Marianna's Riverside Cemetery, there is
no evidence to support the story.
By the time of the Civil War, Marianna had
emerged as a small but wealthy and politically
powerful community. Florida's Confederate
Governor, John Milton, lived on his Sylvania
plantation near Blue Spring.
Jackson County's importance as a major farming
district resulted in Marianna being designated a
commissary center at which supplies were
collected for shipment to the Southern armies in
the field.
On September 27, 1864, a Union cavalry force
attacked the city. Confederate troops and local
civilians put up a spirited defense in what came to
be remembered locally as the Battle of Marianna.
The engagement resulted in a number of casualties
and the destruction of two homes and St. Luke's
Episcopal Church. A number of local men and
boys were captured and taken away to Northern
prison camps. More than 600 enslaved laborers
were freed from area farms.
The attempt to adjust to the new order of things
after the war resulted in nearly a decade of terror
and violence. Reconstruction proved an extremely
violent time in Jackson County as more than 100
people died in violent outbreaks.
| A Marianna Landmark Dating from Florida's territorial era, the Ely-Criglar Home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. |
The arrival of the railroad during the late 1800s
spurred a new era of economic development for
Marianna. Followed by the invention of
automobiles and paved highways, the railroad
opened the community to the outside world.
The Great Depression was a difficult time locally.
In 1934, a riot that broke out following the violent
lynching of a murder suspect brought national
attention to the community and helped inspire
national laws against lynching.
The era also brought the development of Florida
Caverns State Park, a lasting contribution to the
beauty and economy of the city.
During World War II pilots trained at what is now
the Marianna Municipal Airport and German
prisoners of war were held at a site near downtown
Marianna.
The post-war era brought new prosperity and
progress and Marianna today is a charming and
energetic small city.
A number of important historic sites and structures
can be seen in Marianna. Among those centered
along West Lafayette Street are the Joseph Russ
home (now the Jackson County Chamber of
Commerce), the Ely-Criglar home, the Holden
house and St. Luke's Episcopal Church.
The downtown area has been redeveloped into a
charming shopping district and an several block
area in the northeastern sector of the old city has
been designated a National Historic District.
Additional information on specific sites in the city
will be added to these pages in the near future.
spurred a new era of economic development for
Marianna. Followed by the invention of
automobiles and paved highways, the railroad
opened the community to the outside world.
The Great Depression was a difficult time locally.
In 1934, a riot that broke out following the violent
lynching of a murder suspect brought national
attention to the community and helped inspire
national laws against lynching.
The era also brought the development of Florida
Caverns State Park, a lasting contribution to the
beauty and economy of the city.
During World War II pilots trained at what is now
the Marianna Municipal Airport and German
prisoners of war were held at a site near downtown
Marianna.
The post-war era brought new prosperity and
progress and Marianna today is a charming and
energetic small city.
A number of important historic sites and structures
can be seen in Marianna. Among those centered
along West Lafayette Street are the Joseph Russ
home (now the Jackson County Chamber of
Commerce), the Ely-Criglar home, the Holden
house and St. Luke's Episcopal Church.
The downtown area has been redeveloped into a
charming shopping district and an several block
area in the northeastern sector of the old city has
been designated a National Historic District.
Additional information on specific sites in the city
will be added to these pages in the near future.
| Now Available! |
| Two Egg, Florida: A Collection of Ghost Stories, Legends and Unusual Facts by: Dale Cox The latest book from Southern writer and historian Dale Cox is now available! Two Egg, Florida is a unique collection of legends and "tall tales" from Northwest Florida. |
| Available in both Hard and Soft Cover |