Trail History


Timeline of Major Events

1964    
The Florida Trail Association incorporates
1966 
FTA draws the very first map for a possible trail, connecting the town of Flamingo in South Florida to Fort Pickens near the Alabama border
1966
very first blaze is painted by Jim Kern at the entrance of Clearwater Lake Recreation Area
1969
first shelter is built in Gold Head Branch State Park
1976
FTA members complete a bicentennial hike from Tamiami Trail to Tallahassee
1978
first issue of Footprint, the FTA's newsletter and magazine
1981
first trail guide published
1983
Congress designates the Florida Trail a National Scenic Trail
1983
FTA gets a permanent office for the first time
1989
first thru-hike by Steve Sheridan
1992
first annual "Big O" hike around Lake Okeechobee
1996
Florida Trail joins the world wide web with the launch of its first website
2001
first Student Conservation Association crews volunteer on the trail
2003
trail is blazed from end-to-end by Mary Pat Cross & Ed Talone
2004
Deb Blick maps the entire trail with GPS
2005
first Americorp crew assists with trail maintenance and construction



Videos

Florida Trail Association founder Jim Kern tells the story of his first hike on the Appalachian Trail, which led to the idea for the Florida Trail.

 

Video by Sailforth Productions via YouTube.


Jim Kern tells the story of his 160-mile hike from Tamiami Trail to Highland Hammock State Park near Sebring in 1966. A story about him appeared in the Miami Herald and generated publicity for the idea of a Florida Trail.

 

Video by Sailforth Productions via YouTube.