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Tallahassee, Florida

"Tally"

Florida's capital city sits in the hilly Panhandle — a college town and political hub that feels more like the Deep South than the beaches below.

Founded 1824 | Population 208,666 | Peak 208,666 (2024) | County Leon County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Tallahassee, Florida

1824Selected as Capital: Tallahassee chosen as Florida's capital as a geographic compromise between St. Augustine and Pensacola.

1861Only Unoccupied Confederate Capital: Tallahassee was the only Confederate state capital east of the Mississippi not captured by Union forces.

1887FAMU Founded: Florida A&M University established, growing into one of the nation's most prominent HBCUs.

1956Bus Boycott: FAMU students sparked a citywide bus boycott, successfully desegregating the bus system.

1977New Capitol Building: The 22-story Florida State Capitol opened alongside the preserved Old Capitol.

1993FSU National Championship: Florida State won the football national championship under Bobby Bowden.

2000Florida Recount Drama: The 2000 presidential recount put Tallahassee in the national spotlight.

2018Hurricane Michael: Category 5 hurricane damaged the Panhandle; Tallahassee sustained major tree damage.

2023Political Spotlight: Tallahassee drew attention as seat of Governor DeSantis' administration.

1845Florida Statehood: Florida became the 27th state with Tallahassee as capital.

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Complete Historical Timeline

1824 Government

Selected as territorial capital

1845 Government

Florida becomes 27th state

1861 Government

Only unoccupied Confederate capital east of Mississippi

1887 Culture

FAMU founded

1956 Civil Rights

Bus boycott desegregates transit

1977 Architecture

New Capitol building opens

1993 Sports

FSU wins national championship

2000 Politics

Florida recount drama

2018 Disaster

Hurricane Michael

2023 Government

Population exceeds 208,000

Did You Know?

Tallahassee was the only Confederate capital east of the Mississippi never captured during the Civil War.

The 1956 Tallahassee bus boycott preceded the famous Montgomery boycott.

Tallahassee has more canopy roads — oak-covered scenic routes with Spanish moss — than almost any city in the U.S.

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