TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- This week, the WTXL Road Trip heads home to Florida's capital county and city.
For nearly 200 years, Leon County has played a key role in Florida's history. In 1824, Tallahassee became the capital of the Florida Territory -- the midpoint between Pensacola and St. Augustine.
"That important fact that really became our state capital has really developed our community into the political world that we are in today," said Brian Hickey with the Leon County Division of Tourism and Development.
In the 1800s, the county led the state in cotton production -- with plantations all around. During the Civil War, Tallahassee was the only capital east of the Mississippi not captured by the Union. When the war ended, Floridians first heard the Emancipation Proclamation at the Knott House.
"It was on these steps that the news of freedom came to many African-Americans here in north Florida," said Leon County commission chair Bill Proctor.
Shortly after, Tallahassee's two universities were founded -- Florida State in 1851 and Florida A&M in 1887.
"You have such a literate base of citizens who are outstanding in a variety of areas, from medicine to music, our arts, culture, science," Proctor said.
At Cascades Park, you'll find the Prime Meridian Marker. Set in 1824, it was the starting point for all land surveys in the state of Florida and was part of the original boundary of the city of Tallahassee.
The county's history goes back centuries. The Apalachee tribe called the area home -- their culture preserved at Mission San Luis.
"They were great hunters, they were great builders," said "Jacinto Perez," a tour guide at Mission San Luis. "They knew how to grow food. They had the right soil. At one point, they were feeding St. Augustine from here."
Fast-forward to the 20th century, and you'll find Tallahassee in the Civil Rights Movement. In 1956, two FAMU students sparked the Tallahassee Bus Boycott.
"I'm so astounded that I'm here 60 years later, and a lot has taken place with civil rights, human rights during my lifetime," said Henry Steele, son of Tallahassee footsoldier C.K. Steele.
Around that time, talks started to move the state capital, but in 1967, locals launched "Springtime Tallahassee," a festival that helped keep the capital here.
"If you think, 'Oh, it's just a parade,' it's way more than that," said Carol Leon, the general chairwoman of Springtime Tallahassee. "It contributes enormously to our economic climate in Tallahassee."
Today, Leon County combines rich history with natural beauty to draw thousands of visitors every year.
"To be in a placid, friendly, warm, caring environment, it means a lot," Proctor said, "and when you've traveled and been other places outside of Tallahassee, it's always refreshing and wonderful to return home."
**Next, the WTXL Road Trip heads to one of Tallahassee's quirkiest streets, where local businesses thrive on being odd.**
