THE QUIZ

They Named a County after What?

From biting bugs to nuclear bombs, test your knowledge of the Sunshine State.

1. In 1824, Florida’s legislative council created a new county that included nearly the entire east coast of the state. What was it called? A: Spanish County B: Milton County C: Jackson County D: Mosquito County

D. Mosquito County was roughly 220 miles long and 90 miles wide. Today, the area comprises all or portions of Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, Polk and Palm Beach counties. 5. Which of the following was Florida’s only tourist attraction for African-Americans? A: Paradise Park B: Bay Ridge Resort C: The Bethune Hotel D: Gator World

A: During Jim Crow, attractions, hotels and beaches were segregated, limiting African-American tourism and recreation. In 1949, Black workers at Silver Springs convinced the owner to establish an area where their friends and families could enjoy the springs. Paradise Park flourished until increasing integration led to its closing in 1968.

2. Which former First Lady of Florida was a founding member of the Florida State League of Women Voters, a precursor to the League of Women Voters of Florida?

A: Annie Isabell Douglass B: Virginia Darby Trammel C: May Mann Jennings D: Maude Randell Hardee

C. May Mann Jennings, First Lady from 1901 to 1904. She co-founded the Florida State League of Women Voters in 1921, two years after Congress passed the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. Although the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, Florida did not ratify it until 1969.

3. U-2 pilots flew from what Florida city to Cuba in 1962 to secure photographic proof that the Soviets were installing nuclear missiles on the island nation? A: Miami B: Tampa C: Panama City D: Orlando

D. The pilots flew from Orlando, and they provided evidence that brought the U.S. and Soviet Union to the brink of war. One pilot was shot down by the Soviets, an incident that was covered up and later revealed by U-2 pilot Jerry McIlmoyle of Venice, Florida.

4. The queen conch, which once proliferated in the Florida Keys, is named for which queen? A: Queen Elizabeth B: Queen Victoria C: Queen Isabela I of Castile D: Queen Latifah

B. The Queen Conch, famous for its vibrant pink and golden colors when polished, was a favorite of Queen Victoria’s. She had cameos cut from the shells. Queen conchs have disappeared from the Keys and are found mainly in the Bahamas. Pressure on the animals started in the 17th and 18th centuries when “shell madness” overtook European royalty and aristocracy. 6. Waters from what percentage of the lower 48 states drain into the Gulf of Mexico? A: 25 percent B: 35 percent C: 50 percent D: 60 percent

D. Because 60 percent of the lower 48’s tributaries lead to the Gulf, it is vulnerable to pollution from all over the United States and dependent on clean-water regulations and initiatives from every state and region.

7. In the 16th century, at least 2,000 bald eagle nesting pairs inhabited Florida. Their numbers stayed strong until the 1950s, then dropped by 80 percent or more. Why? A: Development destroyed much of their habitat. B: Three years of red tide blooms wiped out most of the fish species they consume. C: Chemicals poisoned them. D: Invasive South American hawks fed on the eagles’ eggs.

C. Eagles can coexist with human development, but they were nearly destroyed by DDT, a chemical widely used after World War II to eliminate insects and insect-borne diseases. After bald eagles ate contaminated fish, DDT caused thin-shelled eggs not to hatch. By 1963, fewer than 500 nesting pairs remained in the lower United States. Since DDT was banned in 1972, bald eagle populations have rebounded.

8. Which Florida river did naturalist William Bartram explore in 1766? A: Withlacoochee River B: Suwannee River C: St. Johns River D: Ichetucknee River

C. William Bartram explored the St. Johns River. It was his first trip to Florida, and he fell in love with the area. He returned later to document the region’s plants, animals and Indigenous people.

Our questions were inspired by recent programs in our free Florida Talks speakers’ series. To attend in person or register for a virtual event: floridahumanities.org/events/