The town of Apalachicola, located about 80 miles southwest of Tallahassee at the mouth of the Apalachicola River, was named by an Act of the Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida in 1821. The area was valued because of its fine natural port and access by river to the interior of North Florida.

Prior to the establishment of the town, the area had been populated by Native people for at least 10,000 years. Numerous shell mounds attest to their presence and their appetite for oysters, something with which most Floridians can identify.

The seafood industry has sustained Apalachicola’s economy throughout most of its history. The mix of fresh water from the river and the salty Gulf provides a habitat for a variety of seafood that is marketed around the world and provides delicacies for local restaurants.

Today, Apalachicola is known for its waterfront, its quaint historic districts, and world famous oysters, which are featured annually at the Florida Seafood Festival in November.

Courtesy of the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources