Additional information
by David Gardner (Author), Dawn McMillan (Author), Joe Munroe (Author)
Gadsden County became Florida's fifth county in 1823, two years after the territory was formally acquired from Spain. Named for James Gadsden, the aide-de-camp to Andrew Jackson, Gadsden County has attracted people for centuries. From prehistoric Indian settlements and Spanish explorers to land acquisitions of the Forbes Purchase, the county has long been a magnet. Its mystique includes the Coca-Cola Legend, shade tobacco, and ties to two popular books about the South: Gone with the Wind and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
Author Biography
The authors are bound together by their love of history and passion for preserving the heritage of Gadsden County. David A. Gardner's family was instrumental in the introduction of shade-grown tobacco to the area. He is president of the Gadsden County Historical Society and executive director of the Gadsden County Chamber of Commerce. Joseph F. Munroe is a sixth-generation Floridian with a BS in architecture. He practiced professionally in Washington, DC, and credits his passion for design to being raised in Quincy. Artist Dawn M. McMillan is curator of an extensive archival collection. Her stewardship has shed invaluable insight into the county's development. Photographs are courtesy of the Gadsden County Historical Society, the authors' private collections, and the generous contributions of several Gadsden County families.
