History of Lake City, Florida in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 3, 2025

Lake City is the county seat of Columbia County, Florida. The city's population was 12,329 as of 2020. It serves as the principal city of the Lake City Micropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Columbia County. Additionally, it is a principal city within the broader Gainesville—Lake City, Florida Combined Statistical Area. Lake City is located 60 miles west of Jacksonville, Florida.

1900: Lake City Population

In 1900, the population of Lake City was 4,013.

1902: Hotel Blanche Built

In 1902, Hotel Blanche was constructed in Lake City as an attraction for tourists, becoming a central business center until 1955.

1904: Florida Agricultural College

In 1904, Florida Agricultural College became a full university.

1905: Florida Agricultural College Moves

In 1905, Florida Agricultural College was moved to Gainesville and became part of the University of Florida.

1905: Lake City Population

In 1905, the population of Lake City was 6,509.

1906: Columbia High School Building

In 1906, Columbia High School built its second building.

1907: Columbia College Founded

In 1907, Lake City officials leased the former property of the Florida Agricultural College to the Florida Baptist Convention, which then founded Columbia College.

1910: Lake City Population

In 1910, the population of Lake City was 5,032.

June 4, 1918: Hottest Temperature Recorded

On June 4, 1918, the hottest temperature ever recorded in Lake City was 106 °F (41 °C).

1919: Columbia College Closes

In 1919, Columbia College deeded its land and buildings back to Lake City after facing overwhelming debt.

1922: Columbia High School Building

In 1922, Columbia High School stopped using the second building constructed in 1906.

1927: U.S. Highways Intersection

Since 1927, U.S. 41 and U.S. 90, the U.S. highway versions of I-75 and I-10, have intersected in Lake City.

1928: Battle of Olustee Memorial

In 1928, a memorial was established in downtown Lake City to commemorate the Battle of Olustee.

1940: Lake City Population and Lake Shore Hospital Dedication

In 1940, the population of Lake City was recorded at 5,836. Also in 1940, the Lake Shore Hospital was dedicated to provide medical care for the Lake City area.

1942: Naval Air Station Lake City Commissioned

In 1942, Naval Air Station (NAS) Lake City was commissioned, serving as a support facility for NAS Jacksonville and training pilots to fly the Lockheed Ventura aircraft.

March 1946: NAS Lake City Military Operations End

In March 1946, military operations at Naval Air Station Lake City concluded, and the base was decommissioned as an active naval air station.

1947: Columbia Forestry School Conversion

In 1947, a local air base in Lake City was converted into the Columbia Forestry School.

1950: University of Florida Forest Ranger School

In 1950, the University of Florida assumed management of the Columbia Forestry School, renaming it the University of Florida Forest Ranger School.

1950: Lake City Population and Economy

In 1950, the population of Lake City was 7,571. The forestry products industry (turpentine, lumber, and pulpwood) had become a mainstay of the local economy.

1955: Hotel Blanche Role Ends

In 1955, Hotel Blanche stopped operating as Lake City and Columbia County's major hotel and central business center.

1958: Columbia Amateur Radio Society Formed

In 1958, the Columbia Amateur Radio Society was formed in Lake City.

1959: Lake City Centennial Celebration

In 1959, Lake City celebrated its centennial with parades, fireworks, and a commemorative book.

1962: Lake City Junior College and Forest Ranger School

In 1962, the school became the Lake City Junior College and Forest Ranger School as part of Florida's community college system.

1963: Interstate Opening

In 1963, Interstate 75 and Interstate 10 opened, intersecting at Lake City.

1970: Lake City Community College Renaming

In 1970, Lake City Junior College was renamed Lake City Community College.

1970: School Integration Ordered

In 1970, a judge ordered all Columbia County public schools to integrate.

1976: Olustee Battle Festival Started

Since 1976, Lake City has hosted the Olustee Battle Festival and reenactment every February.

1978: Columbia County Public Library Established

In 1978, the Columbia County Public Library was established.

1984: Mountaintop Ministries Worldwide Established

In 1984, Mountaintop Ministries Worldwide, also known as End Time Ministries, was established near Lake City by Charles Meade, who claimed Lake City would be the only place to survive Armageddon.

1985: Korean War Monument Dedication

In 1985, a monument was dedicated in Lake City to honor the five local soldiers killed during the Korean War.

1993: Amtrak Service Begins

From 1993, Lake City was a scheduled stop for Amtrak's Sunset Limited between Los Angeles and Orlando.

1995: First Alligator Festival

The first Alligator Warrior Festival was held in 1995 at Olustee Park in downtown Lake City.

2000: Lake City Population

In 2000, Lake City had a population of 9,980.

2000: New Companies Arrive

Since 2000, three companies, Hunter Panels, New Millennium and United States Cold Storage, have begun large operations in Lake City.

2005: Amtrak Service Ends

In 2005, Lake City was no longer a stop for Amtrak after damage from Hurricane Katrina caused the curtailment of all service east of New Orleans.

2008: Target Distribution Center Built

In 2008, Target built its first company-owned and third-party-operated perishable food distribution center in Lake City.

2009: Police Chief Appointed

In 2009, Argatha Gilmore became the Chief of Police in Lake City, after serving 25 years with the Tallahassee Police Department.

2009: Sesquicentennial

In 2009, Lake City celebrated its sesquicentennial.

2010: Census Results

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 12,046 people, 4,650 households, and 2,558 families residing in Lake City.

2010: Florida Gateway College Renaming

In 2010, Lake City Community College was renamed Florida Gateway College.

2010: Alligator Festival

Starting in 2010 the annual Alligator Festival has been held at O'Leno State Park.

2011: Top Employers

In 2011, the top employers in the Lake City area are:

2016: Ancestry Groups

As of 2016 the largest self-reported ancestry groups in Lake City, Florida are:

June 1, 2019: Railroad Service Acquired

On June 1, 2019, freight service in Lake City was acquired by the Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad.

June 2019: Cyber Ransomware Attack

In June 2019, Lake City was hit by a cyber ransomware attack, rendering many of the city's communication systems inoperable. On June 25, the city's insurance company paid 42 bitcoins (over US$480,000) to retrieve the city's files and data.