Florida Time: From Mosquito County to Orange County and other name origins

In part one of our ‘how Florida counties got their name’ list, we learned about every county in Florida, starting with the A’s and going through the H’s. Did you know know Alachua County is a Muskogee or Timucua -- both Native American tribes -- word for sinkhole? Or that Highlands County was named for the hilly parts of south-central Florida? We did.

So far, we have J through W remaining, plus a bonus history fact about a county in the Panhandle you won’t want to miss. As a reminder, all facts are from this writer’s book, Florida Fun Facts, as well as the Florida Department of State and the Florida Handbook. Note: Years refer to each county’s formation.

Jackson (1822): Andrew Jackson, president from 1829 to 1837, was named the first governor of the U.S. territory of Florida in 1821. He accepted only if he could resign once a government was organized. He served just eight months. One of five counties named for U.S. presidents (Jefferson, Madison, Polk, Washington).

Jefferson (1827): Thomas Jefferson, president from 1801 to 1809, died on July 4 of the preceding year.

Lafayette (1856): Marquis de Lafayette was the French officer who served in the American Revolution.

Missed part 1? What is Alachua County named after? And other county origins

Missed part 2? Is Glades County really named after the everglades?

Lake (1887): For the many lakes. A state survey in 1969 counted 505 that covered 10 acres or more.

Lee (1887): For Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

Leon (1824): Juan Ponce de León was the first European to claim Florida. And, as we know, was not looking for the Fountain of Youth.

Related: Fountain of Youth isn't backed by historical evidence but keep reading

Levy (1845): David Levy (Yulee), U.S. Senator, 1845-1851, 1855-1861. He is the state's first U.S. senator and the Senate’s first ethnic Jew. Although he adopted a Christian lifestyle by raising his children as Christians, he still was an object of anti-Semitic attacks throughout his career.

Liberty (1855): For the patriotic concept.

Madison (1827): James Madison was U.S. president from1809 to 1817.

Florida Time archives: Get caught up on the stories you’ve missed

Manatee (1855): Remarkably, the mermaid legend is believed to have begun with sightings of the “sea cow” by sailors after weeks at sea. It’s the only county named for an animal.

Marion (1844): For Revolutionary War Gen. Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox."

Martin (1925): John W. Martin was governor from 1925 to 1929. Business leaders who wanted to split from Palm Beach County offered the governor naming rights if he'd push through formation.

Monroe (1823): James Monroe, president from 1817 to 1825, helped negotiate the obtaining of Florida from Spain in 1819.

Nassau (1824): For a German duchy; a county on New York's Long Island also is named for it.

Okaloosa (1915): “Black Water,” from Choctaw words oka (water) and lusa (black).

Okeechobee (1917): "Big Water," from the Hitchiti words oki (water) and chobi (big). At 730 square miles, it is the third largest freshwater lake completely within U.S. borders.

READER REWIND: What’s your Florida story? Share it with Eliot by leaving a voicemail at (850) 270-8418.

Orange (1845): For the orange industry. It was Mosquito County from 1824 to 1845.

Osceola (1887): For Seminole Indian leader Osceola ("Singer of the Black Drink"). A warrior but not a chief, he died in prison after he was captured under a flag of truce in one of the most shameful acts of the Seminole wars. Even white Americans were critical.

Palm Beach (1909): Blame it on the Providencia. On Jan. 9, 1878, the 175-ton brig, with 20,000 coconuts, grounded on the coast of what is now Palm Beach. Residents took the nuts as salvage and sold them for 2½ cents each. Within a decade, the area was filled with palm trees, and the island had a new name.

Next week: Alligators

Last week: The evolution of license plates from the 1930s to the 1990s

From a reader: Mr. Kleinberg, what a very good motivator for my memory! I have my 1950 Orange and blue numbered license tag, 1-6069, Sunshine State. I recall that an alpha letter was placed between the county number and the registration number to signify a range of automobile weight. No letter for weights up to a minimum then commencing with D, W, WW. My 1948 Plymouth sedan met the weight, so no alpha letter. Always appreciate your articles. Also, still enjoying rereading your father's book about my hometown, Miami Beach. - Marvin F., Juno Beach

Eliot Kleinberg has been a staff writer for the past three decades at The Palm Beach Post in West Palm Beach, and is the author of 10 books about Florida (www.ekfla.com). Florida Time is a product of GateHouse Media and publishes online in their 22 Florida markets including Jacksonville, Fort Walton Beach, Daytona Beach, Lakeland, Sarasota and West Palm Beach. Submit your questions, comments or memories to FloridaTime@Gatehousemedia.com. Include your full name and hometown. Sorry; no personal replies.