In 1817, an Seminole Chief by the name of Halpatter Tustennuggee also known as Chief Alligator. The first name of Lake City was "Alpata Telophka" which means Alligator Town. He commanded the Indian village, which is now Lake City .   Chief Alligator named the village "Alligator" after himself.  Chief Alligator spoke English and mingled with the earlier settlers  and by1824 several white settlers came to the village of Alligator.  A treaty was signed by which the Chief and village of  Seminole Indians agreed to relocate further south by Ocala.  This embittered Chief Alligator commanded several raids on the settlers and  after several cruel  confrontations, the Chief was transported to Arkansas along with the other Seminole Indians from Florida. By 1830 a census was taken showing many settlers were taking root in Alligator.  As a matter of reference, original settlers are shown on the tombstones in number of old cemeteries in the area and some of the older families in the area bear reference to direct descendants of the first settlers.

By 1832 Columbia county was formed as part of the original Alachua county with the town of Alligator as the county sea.  Columbia County was Florida's 16th county.  it originally included the present areas of Suwannee, Branford, Baker and Union Counties.  The first post office was established in 1833 with John W. Robert's as postmaster.  It wasn't until December 14, 1858 that another name as chosen for Alligator town - Lake City.  Mrs. Elex Young and Col. Robert Brown, Columbia County representative introduced the bill.  The city was incorporated as Lake City on January 15, 1859.

In the early 20th Century lake city became an important railroad hub.  Agricultural products of the area included tobacco, corn, peanuts, cotton, melons, and other fruits and vegetables.

The famous Suwannee, the historic Santa Fe, and the Ichetucknee rivers all flow throughout the area, offering natural beauty and an abundance of wildlife and fabulous playground for water sports and activities from tubing, fishing, boating, water skiing  to cavern diving and cave diving.  Just within driving distance, you'll find the historic Stephen Foster State Park the spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, O'leno state Park and Olustee State Park, just to name a few.

Columbia county's population has doubled within the last 10 years and North Florida has become the fastest growing part of all of Florida.  With Lake City as the county's economic and governmental center, major changes occur every day.  However, Lake City is still cherished as a small community in its charm and manners, progressive planning and development is turning Lake City into a modern and thriving community able to support modern conveniences and amenities.

Lake City now has three hospitals and over 2,000 hotel rooms.  it has several national and local eateries and 2 Golf courses.  Lake City's main newspaper is the Lake City reporter and the annual average temperature of Columbia County is 69 degrees with humidity of around 75%.  Water makes up about 4.69% of the city's total area.  Lake City is the home for the Osceola National Forest. Within the last two years Lake City has added a new post office,  a new court house, expanded it county jail and is currently expanding Shands Hospital, a new medical center, a Home Depot.  Lake City has a Super Wal-Mart, Lowe's and several large retail clothing chains.  New constructions is continually on the move and the city is expanding in leaps and bounds.

The area code for all Lake City phone numbers is 386.  Lake city has 4 zip codes and still growing.  the US Postal Services uses 32024,32025,32055,32056 to direct and deliver the mail to residents as efficiently as possible.

Today the Lake City Columbia County Chamber of Commerce occupies a historic home at 162South Marion Avenue and the Columbia County Historical Museum is located at 157 SE Hernando Avenue.  Downtown today has been restored to its historic and traditional business center.  In November, 1993 Lake Isabella Historic Residential District was added to the National Registry.  The district is roughly bounded to the east by Church Street, and to the west by Columbia Street.  The northern boundary is Duval Street and the southern is Baya Avenue.  In June of 1994, the Lake City Historic Commercial District was added to the National Registry.  This district is roughly bounded by Railroad Street, Hernando Avenue, Duval Street and Columbia Avenue and includes all of the North Marion Avenue business district.  Top