ANALYSIS:
BACKGROUND / SUMMARY
The Florida Historical Marker Program is administered by the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources. The program recognizes historic resources, as well as persons and events that are significant in the areas of architecture, archaeology, and historic culture, by promoting the placing of historic markers and plaques at sites of historic and visual interest to visitors.
To be eligible as a Florida Heritage Site or Florida Heritage Landmark a resource must meet the following criteria:
Florida Heritage Site
• A building, structure or site must be at least 30 years old and have significance in the areas of architecture, archaeology, Florida historic or traditional culture, or be associated with a significant event that took place at least 30 years ago.
• Resources associated with a historic significant person at least 30 years after the death of the individual or 30 years after the event with which the person is associated.
• Resource should visibly retain those physical characteristics that were present during the period for which it or the associated person is significant.
• A moved building or structure may qualify if the move was made 30 or more years ago, or the move was made to preserve the resource from demolition and reasonable attempts were made to ensure that the new setting is similar to the historical setting.
Florida Heritage Landmark
• A building, structure or site must be at least 50 years old and have regional or statewide significance in the areas of architecture, archaeology, Florida history or traditional culture, or be associated with an event of statewide or national significance that took place at least 50 years ago.
• Resources associated with a historic significant person at least 50 years after the death of the individual or 50 years after the event with which the person is associated.
• Resources that are less than 50 years old but are significant at the statewide of national level may also qualify.
• The resource should visibly retain those physical characteristics that were present during the period for which it or the associated person is significant.
• A moved building or structure may qualify if the move was made 50 or more years ago, or the move was made to preserve the resource from demolition and reasonable attempts were made to ensure that the new setting is similar to the historical setting.
Applications are submitted to the Division of Historical Resources and reviewed by the Florida Historic Marker Council several times throughout the year. Applications are required to include a historical documentation, bibliography, current photographs of resource or site, copy for the Marker text and signed property owner’s permission. It is the applicant’s responsibility to pay for the marker and all associated installation costs.
The cost for a single-sided marker is $2,010 and the cost of a double sided marker is $2,330. According to the Florida Department of State, costs are subject to change and an applicant is notified of the current cost after an application has been approved by the Florida Historic Marker Council.
Each marker is made of cast aluminum with a dark blue background with white lettering and a white Florida Heritage emblem. The markers come with a 7’-0” concrete post and have a text area of 30” by 42”.
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