Leon County, Florida, is located on the eastern side of the panhandle of Florida, and borders Georgia to the north. The state capital, Tallahassee is housed within the city, and is also the county seat.

The county was created in 1824, and the borders as they exist today were formed out of the Escambia and Gadsden counties. The name of the county tips its hat to the first European explorer in Florida, Juan Ponce de Leon, who hailed from Spain. His explorations led to the inhabitation of Florida by the Spaniards, and later the sale of the land to the United States.

Leon County originally flourished under a vast cotton production. Over 20 plantations existed in the area. Planters from many neighboring states as well as more distant lands came to the area to plant and harvest cotton from the 1820s to the 1850s. Now, with the help of the state capital, the county’s industry is mostly government-focused with a strong emphasis as well on education. The county is the site of two of Florida’s largest universities, Florida State University, and Florida A&M University, which bring many students to the capital each year.

In addition to its successful economy, the county also boasts a great number of points of interest that are visited by residents and tourists alike. Leon County holds sites that have been the location of fascinating fossil excavations. Several state parks reside in the area, as well as the Apalachicola National Forest which covers much of the western side of the county. This flourishing county holds a unique allure.