Secretary of State Cord Byrd Selects Havana Main Street as Florida Main Street Spotlight

Secretary of State Cord Byrd Selects Havana Main Street as Florida Main Street Spotlight

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. -

Today, Secretary of State Cord Byrd announced Havana Main Street, located in Gadsden County, as the Florida Main Street Spotlight.

"I am happy to recognize Havana Main Street as the Florida Main Street Spotlight for their continued efforts to be 'Florida's Friendliest Small Town'," said Secretary of State Cord Byrd. "Through their partnership with local government, this ensures the lasting vibrancy of the historic downtown, providing support and legitimacy to the initiative."

Located north of Tallahassee, Havana offers an escape from urban life with its small-town charm, quaint shops and antique stores, unique restaurants, and art galleries. The railroad was vital to its early development, and the town was incorporated on December 5, 1906. It quickly became a major hub for the tobacco industry. The hand-wrapped cigars, like the ones made in Havana, Cuba, leant the town its name.

On a Thursday evening, March 16, 1916, many of the businesses in town were destroyed by fire. Twenty-five buildings were burned, leaving only two stores standing. Despite losing almost the entire commercial core, residents and merchants, fueled by the fast-growing Shade Tobacco industry, rapidly rebuilt brick-and-mortar storefronts to restore the town's market and trade hub. By the early 20^th century, Havana became a highway town after the construction of the Old Spanish Trail, one of the first cross country highways in the United States, which continues through Havana from Tallahassee via Highway 27 and turns west towards Quincy via Highway 12. After World War II, the tobacco industry declined, largely ceasing production by the 1970s. Although some area farmers shifted to tomato and ornamental plants, these industries never fully replaced tobacco. Over the years, tobacco crops dwindled and during the 1990s, the Town of Havana became known for its antique shops. As antiques fell out of favor, the town experienced significant vacancies in their downtown.

Photograph provided by Kram Kran Photo

To remedy this and reactivate the downtown in 2017, Havana took a major step forward by forming Havana Main Street (HMS). HMS also became part of the National Main Street America network focused on vibrant, heritage-driven downtowns. HMS affiliated with the Artists Helping Artists collective to open new galleries and public art displays, and it started a weekly farmers' market along with monthly community bike rides to draw people downtown. The Havana History and Heritage Society Shade Tobacco museum has become a must-see tourist attraction for the area, educating visitors about Havana's history and the tobacco industry.

Annual traditions blossomed as well, hosting popular events like the Havana PumpkinFest and WinterFest festivals, along with art-centric gatherings such as the Painting in Shade Plein Air event and a yearly quilt show. These initiatives have highlighted the charm of Havana's historic buildings and the friendliness of its merchants, celebrating local culture, inviting visitors, and restoring a sense of pride and vitality in the district.

A historic downtown building, the Old Havana State Bank (now the Slappey Building), was restored to serve as HMS's office, visitor center, and community space. Using a 2023 Special Category Grant from the Florida Department of State's Division of Historical Resources, this 100-year-old landmark was renovated by HMS volunteers and local families to preserve its story and repurpose it for modern use. The restored building now houses the Main Street program's offices, a conference room, and rental spaces for local entrepreneurs, all while honoring the legacy of the Slappey family who ran the bank in the early 1900s. The project is a centerpiece of Havana's downtown revitalization and stands as a tangible reminder of the town's heritage and a symbol of the community's commitment to historic preservation.

Photograph provided by Havana Main Street

Since joining the Main Street program in 2017, Havana Main Street has generated $3,606,922.50 in public and private investments. The district has seen an increase of 28 net new businesses, creating 94 net new jobs. The organization has recorded over 17,243 volunteer hours.

For more information on Havana Main Street, visit Havanamainstreet.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram.

To learn more about the Florida Main Street program, visit FloridaMainStreet.org or follow on Facebook and Instagram.

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About Florida Main Street

Florida Main Street is a program administered by the Division of Historical Resources under the Florida Department of State, which currently oversees 57 communities throughout the state. By implementing the National Main Street Center's Four-Point Approach, Florida Main Street encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation through the revitalization of Florida's downtowns - the community's heart and soul.