|
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 |
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.