HAVANA, FLORIDA

The name of Havana evokes images of Cuba or perhaps a vibrant ethnic neighborhood in Miami.

But there is a little Florida town named Havana way up in north Florida, 14 miles northwest of Tallahassee, that has its own claim to fame.

Havana Mural
Photographic Destinations by Bob Kyle

True Floridians know to pronounce that town as HAY-vana.  The town motto is "Florida's Friendliest Small Town."

The railroad first came to this town in 1902, and it made the farming and shipping of tobacco very profitable.

Havana, Florida Early Tobacco Workers

The town was incorporated in 1906, and the settlers chose Havana as the town name because the major crop in the area was shade tobacco, used as wrappers for fine cigars.

Downtown Havana photo by Ebyabe

This area of north Florida and adjacent south Georgia was one of only two places in America ideal for growing shade tobacco.

The other was the Connecticut river valley in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Havana Railroad Tracks and Buildings
Photographic Destinations by Bob Kyle

By the decade after World War Two, these two areas produced 95% of the country's shade tobacco.

Havana Downtown Scene
Photographic Destinations by Bob Kyle

By the 1960s, however, the shade tobacco markets had moved to Central America and other places.

Havana, Florida was economically devastated. It's lonely streets baked in the hot Florida sun.

Downtown Havana, Florida

Things began to turn around for the town in 1983 when an antique dealer moved his shop from Tallahassee to Havana. He also leased shop space downtown to other antique dealers.

Havana Weezie's Cottage
Photographic Destinations by Bob Kyle

Other antique shops and art galleries followed, and soon the small town became a magnet that drew antique and art lovers from Tallahassee and other areas in the southeast.

It's a classic heartwarming tale of a town reinventing itself and rising from the ashes.

Havana Planters Exchange
Photographic Destinations by Bob Kyle

The old Planters Exchange building is a National Historic Landmark and today contains many vendors and shops and a museum with exhibits about the town's shade tobacco history.

Tobacco Barn in Gadsden County
Floridiana Magazine by Doris Keeler

Havana also has many beautiful old homes and gardens that go back to the town's earliest days.

Some of them are on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Planters Exchange shown in the photos above.

Havana Mural
Photographic Destinations by Bob Kyle

Havana is a great place to visit on a day trip or for for a long weekend.

Shops and Restaurants in Havana, Florida
Floridiana Magazine by Doris Keeler

THINGS TO DO IN HAVANA,  FLORIDA

Antique Shopping: Explore the charming antique shops in Havana, where you can discover unique treasures, vintage collectibles, and one-of-a-kind items from the past.

Havana Community Park: Enjoy outdoor activities at Havana Regional Park, featuring playgrounds, picnic areas, sports fields, and walking paths, perfect for a day of family fun.

Downtown Havana: Take a leisurely stroll through downtown Havana, lined with quaint shops, restaurants, and beautifully preserved historic buildings, giving you a glimpse into the town's past.

Tallahassee National Forest: Explore the nearby Tallahassee National Forest, just a short drive from Havana, and discover a vast expanse of wilderness with hiking trails, camping areas, and breathtaking natural landscapes.