Subject: Florida -- Maps

This map, dated 1835, depicts the location of Micanopy, Florida. Micanopy was founded in 1822 by Moses Elias Levy as the first Jewish communal settlement in the United States. The map is significant for its early depiction of Micanopy and its connection to Levy's utopian vision for a Jewish homeland in America. Levy, a lumber exporter, purchased 53,000 acres in North-Central Florida with the help of the Spanish government to establish the Pilgrimage Plantation and recruited Jewish settlers through advertisements and fundraising efforts in the United States and England. The map is part of a collection that sheds light on the history of this early Jewish community and its place within the broader context of American Jewish history. The description mentions Dr. Chris Monaco's book "Moses Levy of Florida: Jewish Utopian and Antebellum Reformer" (2005) which elaborates on this history.

This 1854 map from Mitchell's Cowperthwait Atlas depicts Levy County, Florida. Levy County, established in 1845 following the Seminole Wars, was named for David Levy Yulee, a significant figure in Florida's development. Yulee served as the state's territorial delegate to the US House of Representatives (1841-1845) and later as a Senator. The map's significance lies in its depiction of the county during its early years, showing the area before extensive development. The description also notes Yulee's role in constructing Florida's first railroad, connecting Fernandina and Cedar Key, furthering the state's economic growth.