Florida's Gilded Age: 1877-1898

This course examines the rapid development of Florida during the Gilded Age, from the end of Reconstruction in 1877 to the start of the Spanish-American War in 1898. It covers the profound impact of railroad tycoons like Henry Flagler and Henry Plant on the state's geography and economy. Participants will explore the rise of the citrus and phosphate industries, the creation of luxury winter resorts, and the social shifts that defined Florida's transformation from a frontier wilderness into a prominent national destination. The curriculum focuses on factual narratives of economic growth, political change, and industrial expansion during this pivotal twenty-year period.