Why is Starke where it is?
The City of Starke's history traces the town's early development to the railroad between Fernandina and Cedar Key, and says the city "served as the halfway point on the route."[1]
Even the name is uncertain. The city's own history gives two accounts of where "Starke" came from and says plainly: "No one actually knows which version of the naming is correct."[1] The town was "officially incorporated on April 4th, 1870," according to the same page.[1]
How did Starke become the county seat?
The county is older than the town's 1870 incorporation. Bradford County "was founded as New River County in 1858 but was renamed Bradford County in 1861."[3] The county's history records an 1875 vote on the location of the county seat, "with Starke winning by 46 votes," and Starke is the county seat today.[2][3] In 1921 "the western portion of Bradford County and Lake Butler were separated to form Union County."[2]
Starke is the county seat of Bradford County today.[3]
What did the area farm and ship?
According to Bradford County, the county "was home to numerous citrus farms in its early days prior to the Great Freeze in the winter of 1894–1895." After the freeze, its primary exports were "cotton, tobacco, and strawberries."[2] The City of Starke's history describes the area in the early 1900s as "one of the biggest strawberry exporters in the South."[1]
What does the record say about World War II?
In Bradford County's words, "Significant growth would come to the county during the World War II era, with the construction of U.S. Route 301 and nearby Camp Blanding."[2] The city's history recalls "thousands of soldiers in training who were stationed at nearby Camp Blanding."[1]
Camp Blanding is still there. The Florida Department of Military Affairs describes Camp Blanding Joint Training Center as "a 73,000-acre military training installation located in northeast Florida" and the Florida National Guard's "primary center utilized for training."[7] Current FDOT traffic counts for US 301 segments in Bradford County are on the market outlook.
Which Starke properties are in the National Register?
Three Starke properties are on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Park Service describes the Call Street Historic District as "Bounded by Jefferson, Cherry, Madison, and Temple Sts."[5] The Old Bradford County Courthouse, at 209 W. Call Street, has a significant year of 1902 in its National Register record.[4] The Woman's Club of Starke, at 201 N. Walnut Street, has a significant year of 1922.[6]
| Property | Address or area | Significant year | NPS record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Bradford County Courthouse | 209 W. Call St. | 1902 | NRIS 74000611 |
| Call Street Historic District | Jefferson, Cherry, Madison and Temple Sts. | 1858, 1875, 1902 | NRIS 85003329 |
| Woman's Club of Starke | 201 N. Walnut St. | 1922 | NRIS 97000350 |
Questions to ask before you buy or lease in Starke
If you are weighing a building in the Call Street Historic District, ask the City of Starke what local rules apply before you buy or renovate, and order a current survey and title search; this is an old town.
If you are weighing a site on US 301, compare it against the FDOT traffic counts on the market outlook.
Looking at a building downtown or a site on US 301? Start with what the property is today.
Talk with MakaylaQuestions people ask
When was Starke, Florida incorporated?
The City of Starke's own history says the town was officially incorporated on April 4, 1870.
Why is Starke the county seat of Bradford County?
Bradford County's history records an 1875 vote on the county seat that Starke won by 46 votes, and Starke is the county seat today. The county began as New River County in 1858 and was renamed Bradford County in 1861.
Where is Camp Blanding?
The Florida Department of Military Affairs describes Camp Blanding Joint Training Center as located near Starke, in northeast Florida. It is a 73,000-acre installation and the Florida National Guard's primary center for training. Bradford County credits the construction of US 301 and nearby Camp Blanding with significant growth during the World War II era.
Is downtown Starke a historic district?
Yes. The Call Street Historic District, bounded by Jefferson, Cherry, Madison and Temple streets, is on the National Register of Historic Places, as are the Old Bradford County Courthouse and the Woman's Club of Starke.
Sources
- History, City of Starke. Accessed October 12, 2026.
- About Us, Bradford County, Florida. Accessed October 12, 2026.
- Bradford County, Florida, Bradford County Board of County Commissioners. Accessed October 12, 2026.
- Old Bradford County Courthouse (NRIS 74000611), National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places. Accessed October 12, 2026.
- Call Street Historic District (NRIS 85003329), National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places. Accessed October 12, 2026.
- Woman's Club of Starke (NRIS 97000350), National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places. Accessed October 12, 2026.
- Long Range Program Plan, Fiscal Years 2024-2025 through 2028-2029, Florida Department of Military Affairs, September 2023. Accessed October 12, 2026.