Driving through Palatka, Florida

By the 1880s, several competing railroads crossed the community, which became an important junction. These included the Florida Southern Railroad, the Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West Railroad, the St. Augustine and Palatka Railway, and the Georgia Southern and Florida Railroad. On November 7, 1884, Palatka suffered a devastating fire. Guests arrived that season to find no accommodations, and so continued on the train south; this was the beginning of a gradual shift of tourism elsewhere. The city lost trade, shipping and transportation preeminence to Jacksonville, on the coast. With its downtown rebuilt in brick to be fireproof, Palatka emerged a finer place.
In 1893, A. E. and H. S. Wilson of Saginaw, Michigan bought the Noah J. Tilghman & Son sawmill, which processed cypress lumber. Renamed the Wilson Cypress Company, it expanded operations and became a major employer. At its peak, it was the second largest cypress mill in the world, but closed in 1944. The Great Freeze of 1894 and 1895 destroyed Palatka's citrus groves for five years, which were formerly a major attraction. The ill-fated Cross Florida Barge Canal was once intended to pass the city. Today, tourism remains important.

[@Sebastianmaz615]

Very good video. I've lived here since 1967, the year I was born. Palatka definitely has gotten bigger. Sometimes when I'm driving it kind of feels like a much bigger city due to traffic, esp on Fridays. Anyway, thoroughly enjoyed this video 👍🏻😊.
The information provided below the video was very interesting.

[@gatorpics09]

Thanks for the info!

[@amandaconner7563]

Man the map stays on screen to long at beginning my dad's house was on the right hand side by weigh station I would have loved to see, I haven't seen since he passed in 09. Other then that huge part it was neat seeing oh PTown I see Hitchcock's is still there.. Awesome video tho

[@smartsavvyandloved2095]

Thank you

[@gatorpics09]

Welcome!