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lake city
"lake city"
lake city is located near the junction of I-10 and I-75 in north florida. lake lake city is passed by millions of travelers on I-75 on their way to and from florida. lake city is to the vast majority of travelers just an exit to buy gas and get a quick meal at the numerous fast food restaurants at the intersection of US 90 and I-75. however, if you have a little extra time lake city has a couple of worthwhile attractions that are worth a visit. just five minutes from the I-75 exit is central lake city which offers a quaint southern downtown area. there are a number of nice local restaurants and antique stores. also just 15 miles east of town on hwy 90 is the olustee battlefield state park. the olustee battle was the largest civil war battle in florida. every february lake city hosts an re-enactment of that historic battle.
joseph finegan (1814-1885) was a florida business man and a famous civil war general. finegan was a native of ireland and moved to florida in the 1830's. finegan established a saw mill in jacskonville and later practiced law in fernandina beach. he became a business partner with david levy yulee and they built the florida railroad. at a courthouse auction in 1849 finegan bought five miles of shoreline on lake monroe in central florida for 40 dollars. in april 1862 finegan assumed military command of middle and east florida for the confederacy. in february union general truman seymour was advancing his army from jacksonville in the direction of tallahassee. seymour met general finegan's troops at olustee near lake city. the battle of olustee was a decisive victory for the confederates and spared tallahassee from attack. after the civil war finegan sold his lake monroe property to henry sanford for $ 18,500 and moved to savannah georgia. later he returned to orange county florida where he owned an orange grove.
