Banana, Florida facts for kids

Banana is a small, undeveloped place in Putnam County, Florida, in the United States. It's not a city or town with its own government. You can find it about one mile (1.6 km) south of a place called Melrose, Florida, right along Florida State Road 21.

What is Banana, Florida?

Banana is known as an unincorporated community. This means it's a group of homes or buildings that are not part of an official city or town. Instead, it's governed by the county, which in this case is Putnam County, Florida. It's a quiet area, mostly known for its history.

A Glimpse into Banana's Past

The history of Banana dates back to the mid-1800s. It was once a small but active settlement.

The Grist Mill and Dr. McRae

In 1855, an important person named Dr. George Washington Alexander McRae bought a grist mill in Banana. A grist mill is a place where grain, like corn or wheat, is ground into flour. This mill was located where the Old Orange Springs, Starke Highway crossed a creek called Etoniah Creek.

Dr. McRae was a very busy and important person in Banana. He was the Postmaster, which means he ran the local post office. He also owned a store, a large farm (called a plantation), and was the area's doctor. He even helped own a company that managed a canal and drainage system called the Etoniah Canal and Drainage Company.

Preserving Banana's History

Later, a couple named Fremont and Zee Tolles made a generous gift. They donated the remaining parts of the old Banana settlement, located along Etoniah Creek, to the Historic Melrose Association. This group works to protect and share the history of the area.

There are now plans to make the old mill site open to visitors. They hope to create a way for people to access the historic mill and even build a picnic area. This will allow everyone to learn about and enjoy a piece of Florida's past.