Q. What year was the poll tax finally abolished in the state of Florida?

(Voters at Dade County Courthouse. Credit: Miami News Collection, Historical Museum of Southern Florida.)

A poll tax was once necessary as a requirement for voting in many states. This meant money had to be paid in order to vote. Florida engaged in the practice well into the 20^th century. This made it impossible for poor Floridians to vote and therefore disenfranchised many people; Black and White alike.

A. 1937

Q. One of Florida’s chief contributions during the Civil War, which was used to cure beef for the Armies, was the manufacture of what?

(Cocoanut, Fl, ca. 1900. Credit: Walter Swingle, Historical Museum of Southern Florida.)

 

The period from 1860 to 1865 would greatly impact the state of Florida. One single event, the Civil War, and one person, Abraham Lincoln, were the catalysts for great and radical social change. Florida became a Confederate state in 1861 and flew the Confederate flag during the American Civil War; fought between the northern and southern states from 1861 to 1865. 

A. Salt

Q. Among wildlife in the remote sections of the Everglades, this predator is a vanishing species and is known to be in no state east of the Mississippi except Florida. Name this animal.

(“Attacked by a Vicious ___.” National Police Gazette, ca. 1895. Historical Museum of Southern Florida.)

 

This animal is a subspecies of the cougar, which is among the most widespread mammals in the Western Hemisphere. It traditionally was found from Canada to Patagonia. Settlers and writers thought the, ______ was a dangerous animal that should be shot on sight. Today there are between 80 and 100 of this animal; a great increase from the 1995 when their numbers were less than 30.

 A. The Florida Panther

Where was the first temporary county seat?

(Key, ca. 1894. Credit: Carlton T. Chapman, Historical Museum of Southern Florida.)

Dade County was created in 1836 and stretched from Lake Okeechobee to Bahia Honda Key.  It contained less than 1,000 people at the beginning of 20^th century. Undoubtedly, the area was among America’s last frontiers. This frontier, however, did have a county seat. This location served as the temporary place of official business. 

A. Indian Key