White Springs, a quiet town tucked along the banks of the historic Suwannee River, became the backdrop for a piece of Florida’s living history today. Governor Ron DeSantis arrived in Hamilton County to officially unveil a new statue of Alexander Hamilton, the nation’s first Secretary of the Treasury.
This bronze tribute is part of a growing statewide effort to place monuments to Founding Fathers in the Florida counties that bear their names, all leading up to the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026.
The ceremony highlighted Hamilton’s multifaceted career, from his time as an artillery officer in the New York militia to his role as George Washington’s trusted aide-de-camp. During the unveiling, Governor DeSantis pointed to Hamilton’s work on the Federalist Papers and his leadership during the Battle of Yorktown as reasons for his lasting status as an “indispensable figure” in the American Republic.
The Governor noted his pride in honoring the man who essentially built the nation’s financial engine and served as the “Father of the Treasury.”
State officials emphasized that Hamilton’s connection to Florida is more than just a name on a map. As a delegate, Hamilton was a vocal advocate for securing American access to the Mississippi River and negotiated the boundaries between Spanish Florida and the United States.
These efforts eventually led to the 1795 Pinckney’s Treaty, which established the border that still separates Florida and Georgia today. Cord Byrd, the Secretary of State and Chair of America250FL, remarked that Hamilton was uniquely vocal about Florida’s importance to the country’s “destiny.”
The local history of Hamilton County itself is tied to this legacy. While the county was established in 1827 and named for the elder Hamilton, the family’s influence stayed in the region for years. Alexander Hamilton Jr. was later appointed by President James Monroe as the U.S. District Attorney for East Florida, helping to craft the legal bones of the territory.
“Florida honors our nation and its history, and we welcome this new monument of Alexander Hamilton in our Founding Father statue series,” said Bryan Griffin, President & CEO of VISIT FLORIDA. “This is yet another reason that Florida is the best destination to celebrate America, all year long. We invite travelers to come experience our numerous historical sites around the state and join us in enthusiastically commemorating our nation’s 250th birthday.”
With the tarp pulled back, the likeness of the man who stabilized the young nation’s credit now looks out over the river in the county that has borne his name for nearly two centuries.
READ: Florida Sen. Rick Scott Calls For Federal Investigation Into California Wildfire Funds
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
