List of National Historic Landmarks in Florida facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Florida is home to many amazing places that tell stories from the past! These special spots are called National Historic Landmarks (NHLs). They show us important parts of history, from ancient times before Europeans arrived, through big wars like the Second Seminole War and the American Civil War, and even up to the Space Age.

There are 47 NHLs across Florida, found in 22 different counties. Many of these landmarks are cool examples of different building styles, some are important military sites, and others are places where ancient people lived. A few were even the homes of famous American writers, and one is linked to the exciting start of the U.S. Space Program!

Some of these landmarks are located inside state parks and are looked after by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The National Park Service, which is part of the U.S. government, helps decide which places become NHLs. This special title helps protect these historic sites, making sure they can be enjoyed and learned from for many years to come.

Exploring Florida's Historic Landmarks
Places That Almost Became Landmarks
National Park Service Historic Areas in Florida
See also

Exploring Florida's Historic Landmarks

Florida's National Historic Landmarks are truly special because they are important not just for Florida, but for the entire country! They tell us about different times and cultures that shaped America.

Historic Homes and Gardens

Mary McLeod Bethune Home in Daytona Beach: This was the home of Mary McLeod Bethune, a very important educator and civil rights leader. She worked hard to make sure everyone had a chance to learn.
Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales: Built by Edward W. Bok, who edited a famous magazine, this beautiful place was designed to be one of the most stunning spots in the country. It's known for its peaceful gardens and a tall, singing tower.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas House in Miami: This was the home of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, a famous environmentalist and activist. She worked tirelessly to protect the Everglades.
Ernest Hemingway House in Key West: This was one of the homes of the famous writer Ernest Hemingway. He wrote many well-known books here.
Zora Neale Hurston House in Fort Pierce: Another home of a famous author, Zora Neale Hurston, who was an important figure in American literature.
Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach: This grand estate once belonged to Marjorie Merriweather Post, a very wealthy and influential woman.
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings House and Farm Yard in Cross Creek: This was the home of author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, who wrote stories about life in rural Florida.
Whitehall (Henry M. Flagler House) in Palm Beach: This was the home of Henry Morrison Flagler, a powerful businessman who helped develop Florida's railroads and hotels.

Important Military Sites

Fort Gadsden (British Fort) near Sumatra: Built during the War of 1812, this fort was a place where runaway slaves and Native Americans lived. Sadly, nothing remains of the fort today due to a huge explosion.
Dade Battlefield near Bushnell: This is where a major battle, the Dade Massacre, happened during the Second Seminole War. It's now a state park.
Fort King Site in Ocala: This fort was very important before and during the Second Seminole War. It was a central point for military roads.
Fort Mose Site in St.Augustine: This was the first place in what would become the United States where free Black people were legally allowed to settle. Runaway slaves found freedom here, making it an early example of a path to freedom, like the later Underground Railroad.
Fort San Carlos De Barrancas in Pensacola: This site has had forts built on it since 1698! It's now part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Fort San Marcos De Apalache in St. Marks: Different forts stood here during Spanish and British times, and the Second Seminole War. When Andrew Jackson captured the Spanish fort in 1818, it helped the U.S. gain Florida in 1821.
Fort Zachary Taylor in Key West: This fort was controlled by the Union during the American Civil War and was used a lot during the Spanish–American War. It's now a state park.
Pensacola Naval Air Station Historic District in Pensacola: This was the first permanent U.S. naval air station, opened in 1914. It was also the first place where Navy pilots were trained and the first U.S. naval base to send pilots into combat.
Okeechobee Battlefield in Okeechobee: This is where the Battle of Lake Okeechobee took place, one of the biggest fights during the Second Seminole War.

Ancient and Archaeological Sites

Crystal River Archaeological State Park in Crystal River: This was a special place for ceremonies and burials for ancient cultures like the Deptford, Weeden Island, and Safety Harbor people.
Fort Walton Mound in Fort Walton Beach: This mound is a key site for understanding the ancient Fort Walton Culture.
The Miami Circle at Brickell Point Site in Miami: This is a very important site connected to the ancient Tequesta people.
Mud Lake Canal near Flamingo: This is a prehistoric canal that ancient people used for long-distance canoe travel.
Safety Harbor site in Safety Harbor: This is the largest remaining mound in the Tampa Bay area. It's believed to have been the main city of the Tocobaga people.
San Luis De Talimali (Mission San Luis de Apalachee) in Tallahassee: A Spanish mission was built here in 1633. It was later destroyed to prevent it from being used by the British.
Windover Archeological Site in Titusville: This site is amazing because it preserved ancient artifacts and human remains from the Early Archaic period in peat. It has one of the largest collections of ancient human skeletons and fiber art from the New World.

Unique Buildings and Structures

Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine in St.Augustine: Finished in 1797, this beautiful church was damaged by fire but was restored. It's part of the historic plan of St. Augustine.
Dudley Farm in Newberry: This farm is a great example of what a farm looked like in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
El Centro Español de Tampa in Tampa: This building was home to Florida's first mutual aid society, which helped people in the community. It's part of the Ybor City Historic District.
Florida Southern College Historic District (Child of the Sun) in Lakeland: This college has the largest collection of buildings designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright in one place.
González-Alvarez House in St.Augustine: This is the oldest house in St. Augustine, built in the early 1700s. It's also part of the historic town plan.
Hotel Ponce de Leon in St.Augustine: Built by railroad and real estate leader Henry Flagler, this was the first large building made entirely of poured concrete. It's now part of Flagler College.
Llambias House in St.Augustine: Built in the late 1700s, this house is another part of the historic St. Augustine town plan.
Miami Biltmore Hotel & Country Club in Coral Gables: This luxury hotel opened in 1926 and was the tallest building in Florida for a while. It even served as a hospital during World War II.
Norman Film Manufacturing Company (Norman Studios) in Jacksonville: This is a rare, surviving silent film studio and the only remaining "race film" studio in America. It's a glimpse into early movie-making history.
Ponce de Leon Inlet Light Station in Ponce Inlet: Completed in 1887, this is the tallest lighthouse in Florida, standing at 175 feet (53 meters) tall.
The Research Studio (Maitland Art Center) in Maitland: Artist J. Andre Smith started this center in 1937 as a place for artists. It's a great example of Art Deco and Mayan Revival architecture with over 200 carvings.
St. Augustine Town Plan Historic District in St.Augustine: This district covers the original layout of St. Augustine, showing how the town developed from 1672 to 1935.
Tampa Bay Hotel in Tampa: Built by railroad leader Henry B. Plant, this huge hotel was designed in a unique Moorish Revival style. It's now the Henry B. Plant Museum.
Vizcaya in Miami: This was the winter home of industrialist James Deering, known for its beautiful architecture and gardens.
Ybor City Historic District in Tampa: This area has the largest collection of buildings related to the U.S. cigar industry. It was also a special place where many different ethnic and racial groups lived and worked together in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Other Significant Landmarks

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cocoa: This is a very important place for launching rockets into space on the East Coast of the United States. It's right next to the Kennedy Space Center.
Ferdinand Magellan Railcar (U.S. Car No. 1) in Miami: This was the first passenger train car built for a U.S. President since 1865! It was used by Presidents like Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and even briefly by Ronald Reagan.
Freedom Tower in Miami: This building was originally a newspaper headquarters. Later, it became a memorial to Cuban immigrants who came to the U.S..
Governor Stone (schooner) in Panama City: Built in 1877, this is the oldest surviving two-masted sailing ship built in the Gulf of Mexico.
USCGC Ingham (WHEC-35) in Key West: This U.S. Coast Guard ship was built in 1935 and served for 52 years, including in World War II and the Vietnam War. It's the most decorated cutter in Coast Guard history!
Maple Leaf (shipwreck) near Mandarin: This ship was launched in 1851 and sunk by the Confederates in 1864 during the Civil War. It's one of the best-preserved Civil War shipwrecks.
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge in Sebastian: President Theodore Roosevelt created this in 1903, making it the very first National Wildlife Refuge in the United States! It protects birds like pelicans.
Plaza Ferdinand VII in Pensacola: This is the historic spot where Florida was officially transferred from Spain to the U.S. in 1821.

Places That Almost Became Landmarks

Sometimes, a place is considered very important but doesn't become a National Historic Landmark for various reasons.

Hialeah Park Race Track in Hialeah: This racetrack, built in 1921, is one of the oldest fun places in South Florida. It helped make South Florida a popular winter spot for rich and famous people. It's also famous for its beautiful flamingo flocks, which the Audubon Society officially made a sanctuary.

National Park Service Historic Areas in Florida

The National Park Service also looks after other important historic places that are already highly protected. These are like super-special landmarks! There are six of these in Florida:

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in St.Augustine: This strong fort was built between 1672 and 1695 to protect the early Spanish settlers.
De Soto National Memorial west of Bradenton: This memorial remembers when the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto landed in Florida in 1539. His trip was the first big exploration by Europeans of what is now the southern U.S.
Dry Tortugas National Park west of Key West: This park protects several islands, coral reefs, marine life, and Fort Jefferson, a huge fort built before the American Civil War. The name "Tortugas" means "turtles," given by Juan Ponce de León because of all the sea turtles he found there.
Fort Caroline National Memorial in Jacksonville: This memorial remembers the first time the French tried to settle in what is now the United States. It was a French Huguenot colony in 1564-65.
Fort Matanzas National Monument south of St.Augustine: This fort was built to protect Spanish settlers. The name "Matanzas" means "slaughters," because 245 Frenchmen were killed here by Spaniards in 1565.
Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve in Jacksonville: This special area protects wetlands, rivers, and historic sites. Kingsley Plantation, the oldest remaining plantation in Florida, is part of this preserve.