1476 - County area inhabited by Timucua language group of American Indians, and
was in the north of the Province of Potano.
1) Source - keyshistory.org
1539 - Hernando de Soto's expedition passed either near southwest corner of
county or through it into Okeefeenokee.
1564 - French founded Ft. Caroline 40 miles east of county.
1565 - St. Augustine begun by Spain 65 miles southeast of area.
1698 - Spain re-settled Pensacola, and utilized an ancient Timucua-Apalachee route
as the Spanish Trail (US90).
1702 - The English of South Carolina ravaged the Florida and south Georgia
countryside, destroying the Timucua Indians.
1719 - County area completely uninhabited.
1720 - Creek-related tribes (especially the Oconee) move into County and begin to
farm. Possibly founded Olustee.
1763 - Treaty of Paris, ending the International Seven Years War, gave Florida to
England.
1765 - Baker County was within northern limit of the hunting ground granted to
the Seminole Nation by British Governor James Grant.
1773 - James Spauldings Indian trading post set up at Olustee near Ocean Pond
(Lake Spaulding).
1774 - John Bartram in Cowford. River Road east of St. Marys and Trail Ridge
shown on British maps.
1776 - Declaration of Independence. Area was a haven for Tories and International
renegades (Dan McGirt). An English settler named Anderson lent his name to the
intersection of the St. Marys and Trail Ridge.
1778 - Minorcans arrived at Andrew Turnbull's New Smyrna Colony, and some ran
away to the interior. Battle at Alligator Bridge near present Callahan.
1783 - End of Revolution. Florida returned to Spain. New influx of Seminoles into
area.
1795 - Pinckney Treaty attempted to prevent Spanish Florida from harboring
renegades and slave-stealers. Call made for determining boundry between U. S. and Spanish Florida.
1797 - Ellicott surveyed Georgia-Florida border, and erected a mound in northeast
corner of county to indicate true source of St. Marys. Snow covered the ground up
to 8 inch drifts.
1803 - Pres. Jefferson expressed a desire to annex Florida. Americans move into
northeast Florida.
1805 - Jefferson's annual message to Congress called for warfare to acquire Florida.
1808 - Fernandina established by Spanish.
1809 - Southern slave-holding warhawks agitate for annexation of Florida. South
American revolutions weaken Spain's hold on Florida.
1810 - Osceola (Billy Powell) and his mother Polly Ann Copinger Powell in vicinity.
1812 - American George Mathews captured Fernandia driving Spanish, Indians,
and some Americans inland toward County area. War declared by U. S. against
England.
1815 - Raids made into Georgia and Alabama by Indians and international thieves.
U. S. calls for punishment.
1816 - Lewis Hogan and the Widow Taylor settled at Cowford. Isaiah Hart platted
and named the city of Jacksonville.
1817 - Amelia Island captured by U. S. to clear out pirates. Gen. Jackson crossed
Florida border to punish Seminoles for their raids. Georgia legislator Cone argued
to take in a portion of Florida including most of present Baker County.
1818 - Jackson and his forces captured all Florida posts except St. Augustine. Battle
of Lake Butler (Lake Randolph) between U. S. Military and Seminole Chief
Bendoris.
1819 - Adams-Onis Treaty forced Spain to relinquish her claim to Florida. End of
first Seminole War. Settlers move in.
1820 - Florida formally became U. S. Territory.
1821 - All territory east of Suwannee organized as St. Johns County. First known
Baptist church in Florida established on Pigeon Creek about 15 miles northeast of
County.
1822 - Duval County (including present Baker) cut out of St. Johns. Alachua Trail
crossed southeastern section of County.
1823 - Treaty of Moultrie Creek, near St. Augustine, removed Seminoles from north
Florida.
1824 - Bellamy Road (U.S.military) ran just south of County. Territorial site of
Tallahassee selected.
1827 - Great exodus of Georgia Indians through area to Alachua.
1828 - Alachua County (including Baker) created. First U. S. Post road through area
for mail delivery (U.S.90).
1829 - First pioneer wagon train into County area. Pony express mail service.
1832 - Columbia County (including Baker) cut out of Alachua. Scattered Seminole
attacks, Ft. Olustee established.
1834 - North end of County surveyed for cross-Florida barge canal.
1835 - Stage coach mail service. Second Seminole War. Severe freeze.
1837 - Burnsed blockhouse (Raulerson or Carl Brown House). Nationwide
economic panic.
1838 - Florida Constitutional Convention at St. Joseph.
1840 - Mt. Olivet Methodist Church (Manntown).
1841 - Macedonia (Hicks) Cemetery. Yellow fever and violent hurricane season.
1842 - End of second Seminole War. Armed Occupation Act took many settlers
south to former Indian lands.
1844 - Ocean Pond appointment appeared on Newnansville Methodist circuit.
1845 - Florida statehood signed by Pres. Tyler on March 3rd.
1850 - Cedar Creek Cemetery. First circular sawmill in east Florida set up at
Jacksonville.
1851 - Florida Atlantic and Gulf Central Railroad incorporated. Eppinger and
Russell Co. of New York began buying timber in area.
1857 - Railroad construction began at Jacksonville.
A Yellow Fever epidemic struck north Florida slowing down completion.
1858 - New River County (including Baker) cut out of Columbia.
1859 - RR at eastern county line in April. At present-day Macclenny in August. At
Olustee in December.
1861 - Civil War. Secession. Baker County created from New River County in
February. Sanderson founded as County Seat.
1862 - Scarlet fever epidemic. Fernandina in Union hands.
1863 - Jacksonville raided and burned by U. S.
1864 - Union camp at Sanderson and Barber Plantation. Battle of Olustee on February 20. First Brick fireplace built in the county at the Isaac Davis Place
1865 - Peace. Former U. S. soldiers settled in County. A Duval County man was
elected to serve in State Legislature for Baker County.
1866 - First recorded deed 17 February from Mr. Geiger to Mr. Mott. Florida Georgia boundary dispute settled .
1867 - John Darby and Oliver Savage bought up site of present Macclenny. Darby's
Station. Residents refused to celebrate Independence Day under Union rule.
1868 - Ku Klux Klan activities at peak in county.
1869 - Williamsburg founded on RR near present St. Mary's Church.
1870 - Sanderson F and AM. First state political candidate, William D. Bloxham,
visited County, Darbyville named.
1871 - Dawkins F. and AM Lodge, Darbyville.
1874 - First newspaper in county by Charles A. Finley in Darbyville.
1876 - Voting scandal in Baker County felt nationwide.
1877 - Courthouse in Sanderson burned. Darbyville begins movement to relocate
County Seat. Bethel Baptist, Macclenny, constituted. Bethlehem Primitive Baptist,
Sanderson. St. Marys Primitive Baptist Association formed. County road districts
set. Yellow fever epidemic.
1880 - Macclenny Hotel built. The Press newspaper established by editor, Matt
Howard.
1882 - Glen Nurseries. Woodlawn Cemetery. Glen St. Mary founded.
1883 - First Baptist, Macclenny. Macclenny platted and named by northern land
company.
1884 - First Methodist Church, Macclenny. Baker County Star newspaper
established.
1885 - St. James Episcopal Academy, Macclenny founded. Miles marked along
Alachua Trail. Glen St. Mary road district created. Voting precinct boundaries set.
Petition begun for County Seat removal.
1886 - Severe freeze. Charleston earthquake felt in county. County Seat Removal
Referendum.
1887 - Macclenny named new County Seat, and celebrated with fireworks and
fights. Olustee Baptist Church established.
1888 - New frame courthouse erected at Macclenny. Yellow fever devastated
County.
1889 - Macedonia Methodist Church established. Olustee Masonic Lodge #104
established.
1890 - Macclenny Sentinal newspaper established by James B. Mathews.
1891 - Sanderson Masonic Lodge #122 chartered.
1892 - Pleasant Grove Primitive Baptist, Taylor established.
1894 - Freeze destroyed County citrus.
1895 - Freeze worse than previous year.
1896 - Hurricane damage heavy. Blew away bell tower from Macclenny First Baptist
Church.
1898 - Spanish-American War. Local trestles guarded by U. S. Troops.
1899 - Severe freeze.
1900 - Courthouse burned. First state LDS Church Conference met at Sanderson.
1904 - Baxter Rebellion. Martial law declared.
1905 - Cedar Creek No Hell Baptist Church. Griffin Nurseries (Southern States).
Macclenny's first masonry building.
1906 - Glen St. Mary Masonic Lodge #158 chartered.
1907 - Macclenny Church of Christ.
1908 - New brick courthouse. Dinkins New Congregational Church. First rural mail
carrier, Macclenny.
1910 - Landfill begun for new jail to replace calaboose.
1911 Oak Grove (Burnsed) Church established.
1912 - Battle of Olustee Monument erected.
1913 - Florida's first cattle dipping vat for control of fever tick began operation near
Macclenny.
1914 - Masonic Lodge #211 chartered at Taylor.
1917 - Masonic Lodge #244 chartered at Sapp.
1918 - World War I. Troops guarded local trestles. Spanish influenza kills hundreds.
Glen's first masonry building was a combination merchantile and Masonic Hall.
1919 - Macclenny Woman's Club founded
1920 - Land boom
1921-1922 U.S. 90 (then know as Route 1) had a 340 ft. reinforced concrete bridge constructed over the Little (South) Prong of the St. Mary�s River. Constructed by Pensacola Ship Co. for $32,144.29
1924 - U. S. 90 (then know as Route 1) paved (first paving in County). First accident on the new highway occurred near Olustee. Citizens Bank founded.
1925 - Austin Bus Line was first public transportation through County.
1927 - Boundry of County given in Florida law.
1928 - Macclenny Railroad depot erected.
1929 - Osceola National Forest created; Baker County Press newspaper established
by Tate Powell, Sr. Macclenny Church of God.
1931 - Osceola National Forest.
1935 - Mt. Olive Congregational Holiness, Manntown. Macclenny Lions Club
founded.
1937 - Fire destroyed the Powers block in Macclenny.
1938 - Paving begun on Raiford Road (S.R. 121).
1939 - Business and Professional Womens Club Founded.
1940 - New courthouse begun.
1941 - World War II. Courthouse construction halted and workers transferred to
Camp Blanding.
1945 - End of World War II. Courthouse construction resumed. Postwar boom and
increase of 'shine' activities. First football team organized at Macclenny-Glen High
School called "The Pirates".
1947 - Hurricane damage to roads and bridges. First Pine Tree Festival (co-
sponsored by Mr. Will Knabb and the Lions Club).
1948 - Mt. Zion New Congregational Methodist. High School Band begun. Leona
Knabb Chapter, Order of Eastern Star founded.
1949 - Olustee Battlefield put under Florida Board of Parks and Historic Memorials.
Entire community of Baxter transported to Tallahassee by chartered bus for Fuller
Warren's inauguaration.
1950 - Raiford Road Church of Christ founded. Faith Baptist founded.
1951 - Baxter Church of God founded.
1954 - Baker County Classroom Teachers Association formed.
1956 - Consolidation of county high schools.
1957 - Famous Morris House is closed because of Social Security Regulations. Ed
Fraser Memorial Hospital. Friendly Fellowship Club.
1958 - Northeast Florida State Hospital.
1959 - St. Marys Catholic Church. Alpha Delta Kappa, Junior Women's Club.
1961 - Baker County Centennial Celebration.
1962 - Macclenny Art Group founded.
1966 - Integration of public schools.
1970 - Baker County Retired Teachers Association formed.
1973 - Beta Sigma Phi founded. Omicron Theta Chapter established.
1974 - New County Jail and New Baker County Health Department Nursing
Mothers Organization.
1975 - Bicentennial Committee. Baker County Sertoma Club founded. Bicentennial
Committee organized.
1976 - New home for Sanderson Post Office/First manufacturing industry in
Baker/Bicentennial festivities.
1978 - Baker County Historical Society founded.
1979 - Baker County Fair Association founded.
1980 - Baker County Chamber of Commerce formed/ Interdenominational Chapel
at NEFSH named in memory of the Honorable Edwin G. Fraser.
1981 - Glen St. Mary Centennial Celebration/Baker County Fine Arts Council
Founded/City Police Department abolished and County Law Enforcement
Consolidated.
1982 - Library named in honor of Emily Taber/Friends of the Library formed.
1983 - Severe freeze/ Macclenny Centennial Celebrated.
1984 - Health Department Building named in honor of Bertha Todd Wolfe.
1987 - First Baker County-Wide Homecoming.
1988 - July 4th Veteran's monument dedicated on front lawn of County Court
House. Gymnasium at NEFST named in memory of the Honorable John J Crews.
1989 - Baker Improvement Group (BIG) formed. A first white Christmas. Two
inches of snow covers ground. First Invitational Basketball Tournament.
1990 - Second Baker County-Wide Homecoming.