History of Tallahassee, Florida in Timeline

Tallahassee, Florida, is the state's capital city and the county seat of Leon County. Designated as the capital in 1824, it is the eighth-most populous city in Florida, with an estimated population of over 200,000 in 2022. As the principal city of the Tallahassee Metropolitan Statistical Area, its wider metropolitan population approaches 400,000. Tallahassee stands as the largest city within both the Florida Big Bend and Florida Panhandle regions.

1904: Democratic Voting

Leon County has voted Democratic in 24 of the past 29 presidential elections since 1904.

1947: Taylor Plan

In 1947, the first plan for the Capitol Center was the Taylor Plan, which consolidated several government buildings in one downtown area.

February 2, 1951: Measurable Snowfall

On February 2, 1951, Tallahassee recorded measurable snowfall of 0.2 inches (0.5 cm).

March 28, 1955: Measurable Snowfall

On March 28, 1955, Tallahassee recorded measurable snowfall of 0.4 inches (1.0 cm).

May 26, 1956: Arrest of FAMU Students

On May 26, 1956, Wilhelmina Jakes and Carrie Patterson, two Florida A&M University students, were arrested for "placing themselves in a position to incite a riot", sparking the Tallahassee bus boycott.

December 22, 1956: End of Tallahassee Bus Boycott

On December 22, 1956, the Inter-Civic Council ended the Tallahassee bus boycott, which sought to end racial segregation on city buses.

January 7, 1957: Repeal of Bus Segregation Clause

On January 7, 1957, the City Commission repealed the bus-franchise segregation clause due to the United States Supreme Court ruling Browder v. Gayle (1956).

February 13, 1958: Greatest Snowfall Amount

On February 13, 1958, Tallahassee recorded the greatest snowfall amount of 2.8 inches (7 cm).

1965: Voting Rights Act

Since the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, voters in Tallahassee have elected black mayors and black state representatives.

1966: Tallahassee State College Founded

In 1966, the Florida Legislature founded Tallahassee State College.

1970: City Population

In 1970, the Census Bureau reported Tallahassee's population as 74.0% white and 25.4% black.

1971: Election of James R. Ford

In 1971, the city elected James R. Ford to the 5-member City Commission.

1972: James R. Ford Becomes First African-American Mayor

In 1972, James R. Ford became Tallahassee's first African-American mayor (commissioners rotated into the position serving a one-year term).

February 10, 1973: Measurable Snowfall

On February 10, 1973, Tallahassee recorded measurable snowfall of 0.4 inches (1.0 cm).

1974: Conceptual Plan for Capitol Center Expansion

In 1974, the Capitol Center Planning Commission responded to the growth of its urban center with a conceptual plan for the expansion of its Capitol Center.

1976: Bobby Bowden Becomes Head Coach

In 1976, Bobby Bowden became the head coach of Florida State Seminoles football, turning Tallahassee into a city dominated by college football.

1977: Completion of the New Capitol Building

In 1977, the 22-story high-rise Capitol building, designed by architect Edward Durell Stone, was completed.

1978: Preservation of the Old Capitol

In 1978, the Old Capitol was scheduled for demolition, but state officials decided to keep it as a museum.

July 15, 1980: Record Warm Daily Minimum

On July 15, 1980, Tallahassee recorded a record warm daily minimum temperature of 81 °F (27 °C).

1985: Hurricane Kate

In 1985, Hurricane Kate struck Tallahassee directly.

1985: Cold Daily Maximum

In 1985, Tallahassee recorded a 28 °F (−2 °C) daily maximum temperature.

1986: Jack McLean Becomes Mayor

In 1986, Jack McLean served as mayor, becoming the second African-American to hold the position.

1989: Measurable Snowfall

On December 22-23, 1989, Tallahassee recorded measurable snowfall of 1.0 inch (2.5 cm).

1991: Snow Record

From 1991-2020 measurable snowfall of 0.1 inches (0.3 cm) or more has only happened once in Tallahassee.

1994: George Clinton moves to Tallahassee

In 1994, George Clinton, founder of Parliament-Funkadelic, has lived in Tallahassee.

1994: Creed formed in Tallahassee

In 1994, Post-grunge band Creed formed in Tallahassee.

2000: Primary Languages Spoken

As of 2000, 92.0% of Tallahassee residents spoke English as their first language.

2000: Reduction in the Sprawl Index

Between 2000 and 2010 there was a significant overall reduction in the Sprawl Index for Tallahassee.

2000: Presidential Election Recount

In 2000, Tallahassee was the center of world attention during the United States Presidential election recount.

2007: Dropout Rate Improvement

In the 2007–2008 school year, the dropout rate for grades 9–12 in Leon County improved to 2.2%.

November 2008: Record Voter Turnout

In November 2008, Leon County had a record-setting 86% voter turnout in the general election, which was among the highest in Florida.

2008: Dropout Rate Improvement

In the 2007–2008 school year, the dropout rate for grades 9–12 in Leon County improved to 2.2%.

2008: School Grades

In the 2008–2009 school year, seventy-nine percent of Leon County Public Schools received an A or B grade.

2009: Median Household Income

For 2009–2013, the estimated median household income in Tallahassee was $39,524.

2009: Leon County School Statistics

In 2009, Leon County Schools had approximately 32,796 students, 2209 teachers, and 2100 administrative and support personnel.

2009: School Grades

In the 2008–2009 school year, seventy-nine percent of Leon County Public Schools received an A or B grade.

January 11, 2010: Rare Temperature Reading

Temperature readings below 15 °F (−9 °C) last occurred on January 11, 2010, in Tallahassee.

2010: United States Census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 181,376 people residing in Tallahassee.

2010: Reduction in the Sprawl Index

Between 2000 and 2010 there was a significant overall reduction in the Sprawl Index for Tallahassee.

2010: Poverty Level

In 2010, the percentage of persons below the poverty level in Tallahassee was estimated at 30.2%.

June 15, 2011: Record High Temperature

On June 15, 2011, Tallahassee recorded a record high temperature of 105 °F (41 °C).

2013: Median Household Income

For 2009–2013, the estimated median household income in Tallahassee was $39,524.

2013: Top School for A.A. Degrees

In 2013, Tallahassee Community College was listed first in the nation in graduating students with A.A. degrees.

2013: FSU preeminent status

In the spring of 2013, Florida State University was designated as one of two "preeminent" state universities.

April 19, 2015: EF1 Tornado

On April 19, 2015, an EF1 tornado touched down in Tallahassee near Maclay Gardens, causing damage including downed tree limbs and a crushed car.

2015: TSC Student Enrollment

As of Fall 2015, TSC reported 38,017 students.

2015: All-America City Award

In 2015, Tallahassee was awarded the All-America City Award by the National Civic League for the second time.

2016: Hurricane Hermine

In 2016, Hurricane Hermine struck Tallahassee directly, causing about 80% of the city proper to lose power.

2017: FSU Athletics Revenue

In 2016- 2017, the Florida State Seminoles of Florida State University generated the thirteenth-most revenue in collegiate athletics with $144,514,413 of total revenue.