The town and natural spring, both with name Fanning or Fannin Springs, are in the southwestern corner of Gilchrist County on the Suwannee River. It was there that Fort Fanning was built in November, 1838, during the Seminole Indian War (18351842) and named for Major Alexander Campbell Wilder Fanning, who had served with Andrew Jackson in Florida. It was built to protect a much used crossing of the Suwannee River. Fanning was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1788, graduated from West Point in 1812, and fought against the British in the War of 1812, for which service he was appointed major. In 1818, he fought with Andrew Jackson against the Seminole Indians in Florida. After serving different posts, Fanning was commissioned major of artillery in 1832.

He was in Florida at the outbreak of the Seminole War in 1835 and was picked for a special commendation for gallant conduct at the Battle of the Withlacoochee. Before the war ended he was transferred to the Canadian frontier and died in Cincinnati, Ohio, on August 18, 1846. After the building of Fort Fanning, federal troops occupied it for about four or five years, during which time thirty one soldiers died in or near the fort; twenty seven died from disease, one was shot to death, two died of wounds previously received, and one drowned. All were probably buried near the fort, the site of which is about 200 yards north of Highway 19. The settlement around the fort was known as Palmetto or Sikesville, but gradually took its name from the fort. A post office was established there in 1846 or 1847 with Thomas C. Love as postmaster, it was discontinued in 1852, reinstated in 1855, changed to Sikesville in1857, and finally discontinued in the 1860’s. When it was reestablished in 1888, it was called Fannin. In 1906, service moved to Trenton in 1912.

For questions about Fair Housing, Equal Employment Opportunities and/or Section 504 procedures regarding the American with Disabilities Act, please contact Sherlene Michaelis, City Clerk, 352-463-2855 X 201, who serves as the coordinator for Fair Housing, The Equal Employment Opportunity and the Section 504/ADA.

City Council Meeting are scheduled for the First Tuesday of each month at 5:00 pm. Deadline for requesting to be placed on the Agenda is five working days prior to the meeting. Please contact Sherlene Michaelis, City Clerk, 352-463-2855 X 201 to be placed on the Agenda.