Wakulla County was established from a portion of Leon County in 1843. Wakulla, named for a first magnitude (million + gallons/min) spring and river in the county.
The port of St. Marks won out over Magnolia as the most important shipping point for lumber and cotton until after the Civil War.
During the War, the battle of Natural Bridge preserved Tallahassee as the only Confederate capitol not to be taken by Union troops until the War ended.