Town of Havana
The Town of Havana is located 14 miles north of Tallahassee in beautiful Gadsden County, Florida. In 1902, after the completion of a railroad track for the Georgia, Florida and Alabama Railroad, families who had originally settled in nearby Salem; decided to move about a mile east to the present site of Havana. The railroad was very important to the town, as was Havana Community Park, 6th Avenue East, Havana Florida. The Town was incorporated on December 5, 1906. The name “Havana” was proposed by a local schoolteacher, James Mathewson. Shade tobacco, used in fine cigars, was the major crop in the area at that time.
A local schoolteacher, James Mathewson, proposed the town name. The name “Havana” is of Indian origin, though its exact significance has been lost. Cultivation of Cuban tobacco in the county began as early as 1829. The hand-wrapped cigars that were made here were like the ones made in Havana, Cuba. The Spanish mission of Santa Cruz de Cupali stood near here. On a Thursday evening, March 16, 1916, much of the business portion of the town was destroyed by fire. Twenty-five buildings were burned, leaving only two stores. The first town administrators were Mayor H.M. Lott and Clerk/Treasurer H.M. Womack
Over the years, tobacco crops dwindled and now the Town of Havana is well known for its many Antique Shops, Art Galleries, and Specialty Shops.
Historic Havana is one of Florida’s most unique villages. First settled in the earliest years of Florida’s development, it soon was driven by shade tobacco’s economic engine. The town was named after Havana, Cuba, for its renown as a high-quality tobacco growing and cigar making center. Although the town suffered a devastating fire in 1916, it rose from the ashes and today Havana is well known for furniture, boutiques, the arts, and of course cafes.
Havana is located on U.S. 27, just minutes north of Tallahassee and the I-10 interchange in eastern Gadsden County. Find out more about “Florida’s Friendliest Small Town” at Town of Havana. Also, note that most shops and cafes in Havana open Wednesday through Sunday.
The Town of Havana is located 14 miles north of Tallahassee in beautiful Gadsden County, Florida. In 1902, after the completion of a railroad track for the Georgia, Florida and Alabama Railroad, families who had originally settled in nearby Salem; decided to move about a mile east to the present site of Havana. The railroad was very important to the town, as was Havana Community Park, 6th Avenue East, Havana Florida. The Town was incorporated on December 5, 1906. The name “Havana” was proposed by a local schoolteacher, James Mathewson. Shade tobacco, used in fine cigars, was the major crop in the area at that time.
A local schoolteacher, James Mathewson, proposed the town name. The name “Havana” is of Indian origin, though its exact significance has been lost. Cultivation of Cuban tobacco in the county began as early as 1829. The hand-wrapped cigars that were made here were like the ones made in Havana, Cuba. The Spanish mission of Santa Cruz de Cupali stood near here. On a Thursday evening, March 16, 1916, much of the business portion of the town was destroyed by fire. Twenty-five buildings were burned, leaving only two stores. The first town administrators were Mayor H.M. Lott and Clerk/Treasurer H.M. Womack
Over the years, tobacco crops dwindled and now the Town of Havana is well known for its many Antique Shops, Art Galleries, and Specialty Shops.
Historic Havana is one of Florida’s most unique villages. First settled in the earliest years of Florida’s development, it soon was driven by shade tobacco’s economic engine. The town was named after Havana, Cuba, for its renown as a high-quality tobacco growing and cigar making center. Although the town suffered a devastating fire in 1916, it rose from the ashes and today Havana is well known for furniture, boutiques, the arts, and of course cafes.
Havana is located on U.S. 27, just minutes north of Tallahassee and the I-10 interchange in eastern Gadsden County. Find out more about “Florida’s Friendliest Small Town” at Town of Havana. Also, note that most shops and cafes in Havana open Wednesday through Sunday.