Serving as the seat of Jackson County, Marianna was founded in 1828 along the banks of the Chipola River by a Scottish entrepreneur, Scott Beverege. The name “Marianna” was in honour of his two daughters, Mary and Anna. Marianna’s fertile soils soon attracted plantation owners cultivating cotton and corn on the back of the domestic slave trade, with historic antebellum homes still dotting the cityscape today.
Things to do in Marianna
Spend an afternoon exploring the Marianna Historic District, which comprises more than 180 contributing buildings. It’s particularly notable for its antebellum homes, with influences from Georgian, Greek Revival and Neoclassical architectural styles. Don’t miss the white-columned First Baptist Church and Theophilus West House, which dates back to around 1840.
Marianna serves as a gateway to Florida Caverns State Park, which protects a network of limestone caves decorated with stalagmites, stalactites and flowstones. Join a ranger-led tour to learn about the blind salamanders and crayfish that inhabit the caves and the formation of their underground geological features. Swimming and underwater cave diving are possible at Blue Hole Spring.
Flowing along the eastern edge of Marianna is the Chipola River, which provides a source of recreation during the warmer months. It connects south to the Hinson Conservation Area where you can go hiking while spotting native wildlife and birds. The Chipola River also skirts the Judge's Cave Wildlife & Environmental Area, which protects a nursery colony of bats.
Getting around Marianna
Marianna is around an hour’s drive from Tallahassee and Tallahassee International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the United States. Regular buses connect to Marianna, although renting a car will give you greater freedom to explore the area. The centre of Marianna can easily be explored on foot.