Source
State Library of Florida, WPA - Historical Records Survey, County Histories
Description
Brief history of Columbia County, Florida collected by the Works Progress Administration's Historical Records Survey.
Note to Researchers:
Though the WPA field workers included extensive citations for the factual information contained in these county histories, it should be noted that these historical narratives were produced in the 1930s by federal government employees, and might reflect the inherent social biases of the era.
stock stood on the north side of the building. In 1882, another Court House was built in the southwest corner of the same park. This was also a log structure, to which later a frame addition was made to house a small waterworks plant. A cypress tank was built at the rear of the building. The water was pumped from Lake DeSoto, about six hundred feet away, the pump being operated usually by colored prisoners.
The present Court House was erected in 1908, the cost being approximately $35,000.
The county government is that prescribed by law, the officers being Clerk of Circuit Court, Sheriff, County Judge, Tax Assessor, Tax Collector, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Supervisor of Registration, and five County Commissioners. A county agricultural agent is also employed. County records are kept in vaults in the Court House. There is a vault in the office of the County Judge and one in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court. When records are removed from these vaults, they are stored in the basement vault of the Court House. Some public records were destroyed by fire Dec. 20th, 1874.
Lake City is the only incorporated town in the county. It has a commission form of government and its records are kept in the City Hall. A new building is almost completed and is modern and convenient.
The first Post Office was established in 1833. The present Post Office building is up-to-date and commodious.
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