Palatka, Florida

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!--See the Table at Infobox settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage-->
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->
| official_name      = City of Palatka
| name               = Palatka, Florida
| other_name         = 
| native_name        = 
| nickname           = P-Town
| settlement_type    = [[City (Florida)|City]]
| motto              = <!-- images and maps  ----------->
| image_skyline      = PalatkaFLColl.png
| imagesize          = 300px
| image_caption      = Images top, left to right: City Hall, [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] Memorial, [[Putnam County Courthouse (Florida)|Putnam County Courthouse]], [[St. Mark's Episcopal Church (Palatka, Florida)|St. Mark's Episcopal Church]], [[Larimer Memorial Library]], [[Bronson-Mulholland House]]
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = palatka_cityseal.PNG
| image_shield       = 
| image_map          = Putnam_County_Florida_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Palatka_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250x200px
| map_caption        = Location in [[Putnam County, Florida|Putnam County]] and the state of [[Florida]]
<!-- Location ------------------>
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Florida]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Florida|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Putnam County, Florida|Putnam]]
| subdivision_type3  = 
| subdivision_name3  = 
| subdivision_type4  = 
| subdivision_name4  = <!-- Politics ----------------->
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Council-Manager government|Commission-Manager]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Robbi Correa
| leader_title1      = [[City Council|Commissioners]]
| leader_name1       = Tammie McCaskill,<br>Justin Campbell, Will Jones, and<br>Rufus Borom
| leader_title2      = [[City Manager]]
| leader_name2       = Jonathan Griffith
| leader_title3      = [[City Clerk]]
| leader_name3       = Sunni Krantz
| established_title  = [[Settler colonialism|Settled]]
| established_date   = 1821
| established_title2 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date2  = January 8, 1853
<!-- Area    --------------------->
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_12.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 31, 2021}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 25.27
| area_land_km2      = 25.27
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi   = 9.76
| area_land_sq_mi    = 9.76
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00
| area_water_percent = 7.70
| area_blank1_title  = [[United States Micropolitan Statistical Area|Micropolitan]]
| area_blank1_km2    = 2142
| area_blank1_sq_mi  = 827
<!-- Population   ----------------------->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_note    = 
| population_total   = 10446
| population_density_km2 = 413.36
| population_density_sq_mi = 1070.62
| population_blank1_title = [[United States Micropolitan Statistical Area|Micropolitan]]
| population_blank1  = 72,893
<!-- General information  --------------->
| timezone           = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset         = -5
| timezone_DST       = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = -4
| coordinates        = {{coord|29|38|52|N|81|39|5|W|region:US-FL|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> tags-->
| elevation_m        = 5
| elevation_ft       = 16
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code        = 32177-32178
| area_code          = [[Area code 386|386]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 12-53875<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 0288381<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
| website            = [http://palatka-fl.gov palatka-fl.gov]
| footnotes          = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
}}
'''Palatka''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-palatka.ogg|p|ə|'|l|æ|t|k|ə}}) is a city in and the county seat of [[Putnam County, Florida|Putnam County]], [[Florida]], United States. Palatka is the principal city of the [[Palatka Micropolitan Statistical Area]], which is home to 72,893 residents. The city is also home to [[St. Johns River State College]], [[St. Johns River Water Management District]] Headquarters, and [[Ravine Gardens State Park]]. The area is  well known for its local festivals, most notably the [[Florida Azalea Festival]] and the Blue Crab Festival. The population was 10,446 at the 2020 census.

==History==

[[File:Bird's-eye View of Palatka, FL.jpg|thumb|left|Palatka c. 1880]]
The area was once the domain of the [[Timucuan]] peoples, two tribes of which existed in the Palatka region under chiefs [[Saturiwa]] and [[Agua Dulce people|Utina]]. They fished [[bass (fish)|bass]] and [[mullet (fish)|mullet]], or [[hunting|hunted]] [[deer]], [[turkeys]], [[bear]] and [[opossum]]. Others farmed [[beans]], [[Maize|corn]], [[melons]], [[Squash (fruit)|squash]], and [[tobacco]]. However, [[infectious disease]] that came with European contact and war devastated the tribes, and they were extinct by the mid-18th century. The last people evacuated with the Spanish to [[Cuba]] in 1763, when Spain ceded Florida to Great Britain after the [[Seven Years' War]].

During the late eighteenth century, Creek tribes made their way to Florida.  In a process of [[ethnogenesis]], the [[Seminole]] tribe was formed.  They called the location ''Pilo-taikita'', meaning "crossing over" or "cows' crossing". Here the [[St. Johns River]] narrows and begins a shallower, winding course upstream to [[Lake George (Florida)|Lake George]] and [[Lake Monroe (Florida)|Lake Monroe]].

In 1767, [[Denys Rolle (1725–1797)|Denys Rolle]] (1725–1797), an English gentleman and philanthropist, established Rollestown on the east bank of the St. Johns River at the head of deep-water navigation. His {{convert|78,000|acre|km2|adj=on}} [[plantations in the American South|plantation]] was a  commercial experiment, recruiting settlers off the streets of [[London]], including paupers, vagrants, pickpockets and "penitent prostitutes". Two hundred [[indentured servants]] arrived to clear wilderness for agriculture and livestock. Unaccustomed to either hard work or a subtropical climate, however, they left. Rolle next purchased slaves from West Africa, using them to tend chickens, hogs, goats and sheep, or produce cotton, indigo, citrus and turpentine for export to Europe.

He built a mansion and laid out a village, but trouble beleaguered the "ideal society". In 1770, a disgruntled overseer sold over 1,000 of his employer's cattle and disappeared with the money. Rolle hired new overseers and bought more slaves, but the plantation failed to prosper. When Spain resumed control of Florida in 1783, Rolle abandoned the colony and chartered a ship to carry his household belongings, livestock and slaves to a {{convert|2,000|acre|km2|adj=on}} estate on [[Exuma|Great Exuma]] in the [[Bahamas]]. The point, in East Palatka, is still called Rollestown.

With control by different powers in Florida came  changes of ownership in Pilo-taikita, now contracted to ''Pilatka''. In 1774, naturalist [[William Bartram]] noted an [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Indian]] village on the west bank, but it was abandoned later . The current existence of Palatka can be traced to the settlement established there in 1821.<ref>''Columbia-Lippincott Gazetteer'', p. 1413.</ref> After the United States acquired Florida in 1821, Nehemiah Brush established a [[ferry]] and bought a {{convert|1,200|acre|km2|adj=on}} tract in 1826 and another of equal size the next year. The site became a distribution point, where goods were shipped by a [[New York (state)|New York]] company to supply immigrants at the Grant of Arredondo, which lay to the west.

The arrival of land-hungry American settlers created confrontations with the resident Seminole. When the government attempted to relocate the tribe to the west of the Mississippi as part of [[Indian Removal]] starting in 1833, the [[Seminole War|Second Seminole War]] began. The Seminole attacked and burned Pilatka in 1835. Recognizing the site's strategic importance for control of the St. Johns River, the main artery into [[Central Florida]], the US Army in 1838 established Fort Shannon, named for Captain Samuel Shannon. It included a [[garrison]], supply depot and hospital. By 1842 most of the Seminole had moved to Indian Territory, and consequently Fort Shannon was abandoned by the army in 1843. Settlers made use of the military piers and buildings, including eight blockhouses, to develop the town. By 1847, it was growing rapidly. In 1849, Putnam County was created, with Pilatka the county seat. With the help of Judge Isaac H. Bronson, it was incorporated as a city on January 8, 1853.

[[File:Larkin House, Palatka, FL.jpg|thumb|left|Larkin House c. 1880]]
[[File:Front Street, Palatka, FL.jpg|thumb|left|Second Street c. 1880]]
During the 1850s, Florida in general and Pilatka in particular gained a reputation as a haven for invalids escaping northern winters. Steamboats carried them up the river in increasing numbers. One visitor wrote that amusements included "sailing, fishing, rowing, walking, riding in buggies and on horseback, whist, euchre, backgammon and hunting".

The tourist trend was interrupted by the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], when [[gunboat]]s cruised the waters and Pilatka was destitute and largely deserted. On October 7, 1862, the [[USS Cimarron (1862)|USS ''Cimarron'']] fired several [[shell (projectile)|shells]] over the town after seeing some [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] [[cavalry]]. Mary Boyd pleaded with [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] Commander [[Maxwell Van Zandt Woodhull|Maxwell Woodhull]] to spare Pilatka, assuring him that the horse soldiers were not residents. He complied.

Among the notable residents of Pilatka during the war was Confederate spy [[Lola Sánchez (Confederate spy)|Lola Sánchez]] and her sisters. Sánchez became upset when their father was falsely accused of being a Confederate spy by the members of the Union Army and imprisoned. Officers of the Union Army then occupied their residence in Palatka, Florida. On one occasion Sánchez overheard various officers’ planning a raid and alerted the Confederates forces. As a result, the Confederate forces, led by Capt. [[John Jackson Dickison]], surprised and captured the Union troops on the day of the supposed raid in what is known as the Battle of Horse Landing.<ref name="LE">"The Latino Experience in U.S. History"; publisher: Globe Pearson; pages 155-157; {{ISBN|0-8359-0641-8}}.</ref><ref name="SS">[http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art40197.asp "Hispanic Confederate Heritage – The Sanchez sisters"] by Rebecca M. Cuevas De Caissie.</ref>

Following the war, the tourists returned, and new accommodations were constructed including the Putnam House, built by [[Hubbard L. Hart]], and the Larkin House, which could accommodate 250 guests. Steamers ran up the [[Ocklawaha River]] to [[Eustis, Florida|Eustis]], [[Leesburg, Florida|Leesburg]] and [[Silver Springs, Florida|Silver Springs]], or the St. Johns River to [[Enterprise, Florida|Enterprise]] and [[Sanford, Florida|Sanford]]. Industries included logging, raising cattle and hogs, and orange groves. On May 24, 1875, the post office changed the spelling to Palatka.

By the 1880s, several competing [[railroad]]s crossed the community, which became an important [[railroad junction|junction]]. These included the Florida Southern Railroad, the [[Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West Railroad]], the St. Augustine and Palatka Railway, and the [[Georgia Southern and Florida Railroad]].  On November 7, 1884, Palatka suffered a devastating fire. Guests arrived that season to find no accommodations, and so continued on the train south; this was the beginning of a gradual shift of tourism elsewhere. The city lost trade, shipping and transportation preeminence to Jacksonville, on the coast. With its downtown rebuilt in brick to be fireproof, Palatka emerged a finer place.

In 1893, A. E. and H. S. Wilson of [[Saginaw, Michigan]] bought the Noah J. Tilghman & Son sawmill, which processed cypress lumber. Renamed the Wilson Cypress Company, it expanded operations and became a major employer. At its peak, it was the second largest cypress mill in the world, but closed in 1944. The [[Great Freeze]] of 1894 and 1895 destroyed Palatka's citrus groves for five years, which were formerly a major attraction. The ill-fated [[Cross Florida Barge Canal]] was once intended to pass the city. Today, tourism remains important.

==Geography==

Palatka is located at {{Coord|29|38|N|81|39|W}}. The total area is {{convert|7.5|sqmi|km2}} and has an average elevation of  16&nbsp;feet (4.8&nbsp;m) [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]]. The city is located in the southern portion of the Lower [[St. Johns River]] basin. {{Citation needed|date=February 2012}}

{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Palatka
|North     = [[Green Cove Springs, Florida|Green Cove Springs]]
|Northeast = [[St. Augustine, Florida|St. Augustine]]
|East      = [[Palm Coast, Florida|Palm Coast]]
|Southeast = [[Daytona Beach, Florida|Daytona Beach]]
|South     = [[Crescent City, Florida|Crescent City]]
|Southwest = [[Ocala, Florida|Ocala]]
|West      = [[Gainesville, Florida|Gainesville]]
|Northwest = [[Keystone Heights, Florida|Keystone Heights]]
}}

==Climate==

Palatka has a [[humid subtropical climate]], [[Köppen climate classification]] Cfa. The area's warm and humid climate is caused primarily by its proximity to the [[Gulf Stream]], which flows off the east coast of Florida. There are two major seasons which characterize the area. One is hot and rainy, lasting from June until late September. The other is the dry season, October through May, which brings more moderate temperatures and less frequent rainfall.

{{Weather box
|location = Palatka, Florida (1922&ndash;2004)
|single line = Y
| Jan high F = 69.4
| Feb high F = 72.0
| Mar high F = 77.3
| Apr high F = 82.8
| May high F = 88.0
| Jun high F = 91.2
| Jul high F = 92.4
| Aug high F = 92.1
| Sep high F = 88.9
| Oct high F = 82.9
| Nov high F = 75.8
| Dec high F = 70.5
|year high F = 
|Jan mean F = 57.9
|Feb mean F = 59.9
|Mar mean F = 64.9
|Apr mean F = 70.5
|May mean F = 76.3
|Jun mean F = 80.8
|Jul mean F = 82.4
|Aug mean F = 82.3
|Sep mean F = 79.8
|Oct mean F = 72.9
|Nov mean F = 64.5
|Dec mean F = 59.2
|year mean F =
| Jan low F = 45.7
| Feb low F = 47.8
| Mar low F = 52.6
| Apr low F = 58.3
| May low F = 64.6
| Jun low F = 70.6
| Jul low F = 72.4
| Aug low F = 72.5
| Sep low F = 70.7
| Oct low F = 62.8
| Nov low F = 53.1
| Dec low F = 47.9
|year low F = 
|Jan record high F = 90
|Feb record high F = 90
|Mar record high F = 94
|Apr record high F = 96
|May record high F = 103
|Jun record high F = 105
|Jul record high F = 103
|Aug record high F = 102
|Sep record high F = 100
|Oct record high F = 98
|Nov record high F = 90
|Dec record high F = 86
|year record high F = 
|Jan record low F = 11
|Feb record low F = 21
|Mar record low F = 21
|Apr record low F = 35
|May record low F = 43
|Jun record low F = 55
|Jul record low F = 60
|Aug record low F = 62
|Sep record low F = 55
|Oct record low F = 37
|Nov record low F = 23
|Dec record low F = 16
|year record low F =
|precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 2.69
| Feb precipitation inch = 3.19
| Mar precipitation inch = 3.73
| Apr precipitation inch = 3.08
| May precipitation inch = 3.61
| Jun precipitation inch = 6.65
| Jul precipitation inch = 7.22
| Aug precipitation inch = 7.10
| Sep precipitation inch = 7.31
| Oct precipitation inch = 3.81
| Nov precipitation inch = 1.94
| Dec precipitation inch = 2.54
|year precipitation inch = 
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 6.7
| Feb precipitation days = 6.4
| Mar precipitation days = 6.8
| Apr precipitation days = 5.4
| May precipitation days = 7.6
| Jun precipitation days = 12.5
| Jul precipitation days = 15.0
| Aug precipitation days = 14.3
| Sep precipitation days = 12.6
| Oct precipitation days = 8.4
| Nov precipitation days = 5.5
| Dec precipitation days = 6.1
| year precipitation days = 
|source 1 = NOAA<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/
| title = xmACIS2 - Monthly Summarized Data
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| accessdate = February 24, 2023
}}</ref>
}}

==Cityscape==

[[File:Palatka North Hist bricks1.jpg|thumb|left|Brick street in the [[Palatka North Historic District|North Historic District]]]]
As with many cities in the United States, development has occurred in a radial pattern from the city center to beyond the incorporated area. Due to the historical importance of Palatka as a southeastern interior port, much of the urban development is oriented toward the riverfront. The eastern sections of the city, which include downtown and the historic districts, are characterized by a gridded street system. A significant amount of the original brick roads survive in this area. The western outlying suburban areas are primarily characterized by an amorphous road pattern.<ref>University of Florida [http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00102592/00001], Palatka, a regional study of architectural history, 1977.</ref>

The city of Palatka is actively working toward [[redevelopment]] of its riverfront and downtown area.<ref>Palatka Daily News [http://palatkadailynews.com/articles/2011/01/12news/news01.txt, January 12, 2011, New Palatka mayor says downtown is No. 1]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}.</ref> The rise of the automobile, and the inevitable shift to a big-box economic format, has taken its toll on the once thriving regional center. Like many other American cities, Palatka's downtown has had to repurpose itself to cope with an auto-centric society.

===Architecture===

[[File:Palatka Larimer01.jpg|thumb|right|[[Larimer Memorial Library]]]]

Several architectural styles are represented within the city. [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]], [[Colonial Revival]], [[Art Deco]], [[Classical Revival]], and [[Prairie School]] are all prominent building styles in the historical districts. One of the most notable buildings is the old James Hotel at 300 St. Johns Avenue. The hotel was constructed by Dr. George E Welch, president of the now defunct Putnam National Bank. Designed by architect [[Henry John Klutho]] in 1916, this building is a prime example of the [[Prairie School]] style.<ref>Prairie School Traveler, [http://www.prairieschooltraveler.com/html/fl/jameshotel/James-Hotel.html James Hotel].</ref> Klutho also designed the [[Larimer Memorial Library]], named after the wife of James Ross Mellon, eldest son of Judge [[Thomas Mellon]]. The library is a fusion of Prairie School and Art Deco. Today, the building is home to the Art Council of Greater Palatka and houses local art galleries. The Larimer was added to the U.S. [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 2008.<ref>RET-TBD, [http://www.ret-tbd.com/Larimer%20Arts.html Larimer Arts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715174712/http://www.ret-tbd.com/Larimer%20Arts.html |date=2011-07-15 }}.</ref>

Though there are no discernible architectural styles in the outgrowth areas, a notable building technique has been used in the construction of the {{convert|23000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} Children's Reading Center Charter School. Five [[monolithic dome]] structures crown the facility and give it a distinct style.<ref>Putnam County School District, , Children's Reading Center Charter School, [https://web.archive.org/web/20110718091720/http://crccs.putnamschools.org/crccs/Our_school.html Our School].</ref>

===Neighborhoods===

* [[Downtown Palatka|Downtown]]
* [[Palatka North Historic District|North Historic District]]
* [[Palatka South Historic District|South Historic District]]
* [[Palatka Heights]]
* [[Newtown (Palatka)|Newtown]]
* [[East Palatka, Florida|East Palatka]]
'''<big>Parks and Gardens</big>'''
* James C. Godwin Riverfront Park
* Hank Bryan Park
* [[Ravine Gardens State Park]]
* Veteran's Memorial Park

=== Museums in Palatka ===
* Bronson Mulholland House
* St Johns River Center
* Putnam Historic Museum
* Mariners Museum Inc.

==Library==
With up to sixteen hundred people employed by the mills of the Wilson Cypress Company in its heyday, the town of Palatka was in need of a space to further the education of its young working men.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Belleville |first1=B |title=Palatka to Picolata |date=2011 |publisher=University of Georgia Press |pages=141}}</ref> Although some library supporters, such as Betty P. Welch, wrote letters to library sympathizers such as Andrew Carnegie in search of funding, the funds for the first Palatka Public Library were provided by James Ross Mellon, the son of the famous Judge Thomas Mellon of Pittsburgh, who regularly wintered in Florida.<ref name="The River Flows North">{{cite book |last1=Michaels |first1=B |title=The River Flows North |publisher=Putnam County Public Library |url=https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1052&context=fl_library_history}}</ref> Founded in 1930, the Larimer Library was gifted in commemoration of James Mellon’s wife, Rachel Larimer, and was revered as a “poor man’s university” and “the rock on which to build an enlightened citizenry.”<ref name="The River Flows North"/> Today the Larimer Memorial Library contains an arts center, and the Palatka Public Library was moved to the campus of the St. Johns River Community College.<ref name="The River Flows North"/>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 613
|1870= 720
|1880= 1616
|1890= 3039
|1900= 3301
|1910= 3779
|1920= 5102
|1930= 6500
|1940= 7140
|1950= 9176
|1960= 11028
|1970= 9444
|1980= 10175
|1990= 10201
|2000= 10033
|2010= 10558
|2020= 10446
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2010 and 2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Palatka racial composition'''<br> (Hispanics excluded from racial categories)<br> (''NH = Non-Hispanic'')<br>
!Race
!Pop 2010<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Palatka city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Palatka+city;+Florida+&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!Pop 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Palatka city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Palatka+city;+Florida+&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2010
!% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|4,622
|3,963
|43.78%
|37.94%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|5,200
|5,163
|49.25%
|49.43%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|30
|45
|0.28%
|0.43%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|60
|85
|0.57%
|0.81%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]] (NH)
|2
|2
|0.02%
|0.02%
|-
|[[Other races (U.S. Census)|Some other race]] (NH)
|17
|52
|0.16%
|0.50%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races/Multiracial]] (NH)
|144
|331
|1.36%
|3.17%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|483
|805
|4.57%
|7.71%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''10,558'''
|'''10,446'''
|
|
|-
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 10,446 people, 4,419 households, and 2,088 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Palatka city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Palatka+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1101|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 10,558 people, 4,113 households, and 2,466 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Palatka city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Palatka+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2010.S1101|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the census of 2000, there are 10,033 people, 3,880 households, and 2,421 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,442.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 4,318 housing units at an average density of {{convert|620.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 48.93% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 48.43% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.16% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.44% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.04% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.00% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.83% of the population.

In 2000, there were 3,880 households, out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 24.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.6% are other types of families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.10.

In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 28.6% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.8 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $18,129, and the median income for a family was $26,076. Males had a median income of $27,716 versus $19,187 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $11,351. About 27.9% of families and 33.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 41.0% of those under age 18 and 19.6% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==

[[File:Palatka City Hall01.jpg|thumb|left|City Hall]]
Palatka uses the [[council-manager government|commission-manager]] form of municipal government, with all governmental powers resting in a [[legislative body]] called a commission. Palatka's commission is composed of five elected commissioners, one being the mayor/commissioner.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://palatka-fl.gov/?page_id=64 | title= City of Palatka: Commission | publisher=City of Palatka | access-date=2011-01-23}}</ref> The mayor and commissioners serve four year terms. The offices are non-partisan; no candidate is allowed to declare a party affiliation. The role of the commission is to set policy, pass ordinances and resolutions, adopt regulations, and appoint city officials, including the [[city manager]]. While the mayor serves as a presiding officer of the commission, the city manager is the administrative head of the municipal government, and is responsible for the administration of all departments. The city commission holds its regular meetings semi-monthly on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the Month.<ref>{{cite web | publisher = City of Palatka | url = http://palatka-fl.gov/Commission%20Documents/Commission%20Calendar%202011.pdf | title = Palatka City Commission Calendar | access-date = 2011-01-23 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110824004640/http://palatka-fl.gov/Commission%20Documents/Commission%20Calendar%202011.pdf | archive-date = 2011-08-24 | url-status = dead }}</ref>{{clear left}}
{{col-begin|width=auto}}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Current (2023) Commissioners and City Manager
|'''Mayor'''
|Robbi Correa
|-
|'''Commissioner'''
|Will Jones
|-
|'''Commissioner'''
|Justin Campbell
|-
|'''Commissioner'''
|Rufus Borom
|-
|'''Commissioner'''
|Tammie McCaskill
|-
|'''City Manager'''
|Jonathan Griffith
|-
|}
{{col-break|gap=1em}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Current Representatives, as of 2023
! Legislature || District || Party || Representative
|-
| [[United States Senate]]|| || [[Republican Party (United States)|R]]|| [[Rick Scott]]
|-
| [[United States Senate]]|| || [[Republican Party (United States)|R]]|| [[Marco Rubio]]
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives]]|| [[Florida's 6th congressional district|6]] || [[Republican Party (United States)|R]]|| [[Michael Waltz]]
|-
| [[United States House of Representatives]]|| [[Florida's 5th congressional district|5]] || [[Republican Party (United States)|R]]|| [[John Rutherford (Florida politician)|John Rutherford]]
|-
| [[Florida House of Representatives]]|| 20 || [[Republican Party (United States)|R]]|| [[Bobby Payne]]
|-
| [[Florida Senate]]|| 7 || [[Republican Party (United States)|R]]|| [[Travis Hutson]]
|-
|}
{{col-end}}

==Infrastructure==

===Health care===

Local health care is provided by the HCA Florida Putnam Hospital. The 99-bed acute care facility offers a medical and surgical units, 24-hour emergency department, critical care unit, skilled nursing unit, and progressive care unit. Other services include a diagnostic imaging department and an outpatient rehabilitation facility.<ref>[http://www.pcmcfl.com/CustomPage.asp?guidCustomContentID=AC067C1D-83F4-4331-85E7-C972A70F4682 Specialty Services]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219130822/http://pcmcfl.com/CustomPage.asp?guidCustomContentID=AC067C1D-83F4-4331-85E7-C972A70F4682 |date=2010-12-19 }} at [https://www.hcafloridahealthcare.com/locations/putnam-hospital/about-us/], retrieved 24.01.2011.</ref> Located in Palatka, the medical center services all of Putnam County. The local health department is located at 2801 Kennedy Street in Palatka.<ref>[http://www.doh.state.fl.us/chdPutnam/index.html Putnam County Health Department]. Archived at [http://www.doh.state.fl.us/ Florida Department of Health], retrieved 24.01.2011.</ref>

===Education===

[[File:SJRSC.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[St. Johns River State College]]]]
The main center for higher education in the city is [[St. Johns River State College]]. In 1958, the institute opened its doors in Palatka to 191 students. Today the school serves Putnam, Clay, and St. Johns Counties and boasts approximately 10,000 students.<ref>[http://www.sjrcc.edu/aboutus.html About Us]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720044650/http://www.sjrcc.edu/aboutus.html |date=2011-07-20 }}. Archived at [http://www.sjrcc.edu/ St. Johns River River State College]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226195849/http://sjrcc.edu/ |date=2011-02-26 }}, retrieved 24.01.2011.</ref> The Palatka campus serves as the administrative center, it also houses the Florida School of the Arts and the local [[St. Leo University]] branch. Public primary and secondary education is operated by Putnam County Public Schools, officially known as the [[Putnam County School District]] (PCSD). According to 2007 enrollment numbers, the district is home to 12,101 students.<ref>School Matters [http://www.schoolmatters.com/schools.aspx/q/page=dl/did=1571/midx=CPEnrollment]{{dead link|date=March 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}, Classroom Profile, Enrollment.</ref> Palatka has one public traditional high school. [[Palatka High School]] was formed in 1977 after the merger of Palatka Central High School and Palatka South High School.<ref>[http://www.palatkahighschool.orgPalatka High School]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202053553/http://www.palatkahighschool.org/ |date=2015-02-02 }}, About PHS.</ref> The Putnam County Library System serves Putnam County, Florida with five locations.<ref>Board of County Commissioners [http://www.putnam-fl.com/brb/Board_htmls/library.htm]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819071251/http://www.putnam-fl.com/brb/Board_htmls/library.htm|date=2014-08-19}}, Putnam County Florida E-Governance, Library Department.</ref> The Palatka Library location operates as the systems headquarters.

===Transportation===

[[File:Palatka old memorial bridge02.jpg|thumb|left|225px|Memorial Bridge across St. Johns River.]]
Transportation has been key in the development of Palatka since the day of its inception. [[Steamboats]] were the main economic driving force in the city's early years. The river is no longer a primary means of passenger transportation, but remains of strategic importance in the movement of goods and services. Today, airports, railroads, and highways make up the main infrastructure of passenger travel. Palatka's own transportation infrastructure remains important as it is centrally located between large population centers in [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]], a large educational institute in [[Gainesville, Florida|Gainesville]], and tourist hubs in [[St. Augustine, Florida|St. Augustine]] and [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]].
{{clear}}

;Highways
*[[File:US 17.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 17 in Florida|US 17]] – Primary  north-south route running parallel with the [[St. Johns River]]. This route connects Palatka to [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]] (northbound) and [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]] (southbound).
* [[File:Florida 15.svg|25px]] [[Florida State Road 15|SR 15]] – From Jacksonville to Orlando US 17 and SR 15 are the same route.
* [[File:Florida 19.svg|25px]] [[Florida State Road 19|SR 19]] – Terminating into US 17, SR 19 extends into the cities major commercial corridor. The route extends further into the [[Ocala National Forest]] and becomes the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway.
* [[File:Florida 20.svg|25px]] [[Florida State Road 20|SR 20]] – Primary route connecting [[Gainesville, Florida|Gainesville]] and Palatka.
* [[File:Florida 100.svg|25px]] [[Florida State Road 100|SR 100]] – Route connecting [[Keystone Heights, Florida|Keystone Heights]], Palatka, and [[Bunnell, Florida|Bunnell]]
* [[File:Florida 207.svg|25px]] [[Florida State Road 207|SR 207]] – Primary route connecting [[East Palatka, Florida|East Palatka]] and [[St. Augustine, Florida|St. Augustine]]

The bundled US 17, SR 20 and SR 100 cross the [[Memorial Bridge (Palatka, Florida)|Memorial Bridge]] over the [[St. Johns River]] toward East Palatka.

;Mass transit
Bus transportation in the city is provided by [[Ride Solution]]. The agency is responsible for public transit throughout all of Putnam County, Florida. Established in 1986 as ARC Transit, the original paratransit services have expanded to include regular bus services, express bus services, and vanpools. Recently, bus design and manufacturing has become a way Ride Solution is helping improve community transportation. The Brevi Bus was created to handle the rugged terrain and unpaved roads of rural Putnam County. The Bus was designed locally by Ride Solution and is expected to improve access by 30 percent.<ref>Community Transportation Association ([https://web.archive.org/web/20110725212103/http://web1.ctaa.org/webmodules/webarticles/anmviewer.asp?a=2162 archived]), Rep. Mica, Ride Solution Unveil New Brevi Bus, October 15, 2010, retrieved 24.01.2011.</ref>

;Intercity transit
[[Amtrak]] serves Palatka by the daily ''[[Silver Meteor]]'' and ''[[Silver Star (passenger train)|Silver Star]]'' intercity rail services. The [[Palatka Amtrak station]] is a historic [[Atlantic Coast Line Railroad]] depot located at 220 North Eleventh Street.<ref name="trainweb">{{cite web |title=PALATKA FLORIDA (PAC) |url=http://www.trainweb.org/usarail/palatka.htm |publisher=TrainWeb |access-date=7 August 2010}}</ref> The station was added in 1988 to the [[United States|U.S.]] [[National Register of Historic Places]].

[[Palatka Municipal Airport]] is a public-use, [[general aviation]] airport located {{convert|2|mi|km}} northwest of Downtown Palatka. The nearest international airport is [[Jacksonville International Airport]], approximatively {{convert|68|mi|km}} north of Palatka. The closest major international airport is [[Orlando International Airport]].

==Economy==

The composition of the Palatka area economy is unreflective of Florida as a whole. Unlike many cities in the state, Palatka has a large manufacturing sector, employing 17.2% of the city's total civilian workforce.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US1253875&-qr_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_DP5YR3&-ds_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-_sse=on |title=American Factfinder; Palatka |publisher=United States Census Bureau |date=2005–2009 |access-date=February 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210212552/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US1253875&-qr_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_DP5YR3&-ds_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-_sse=on |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Comparatively, Florida's statistics indicate 5.9% of the state's entire workforce is employed by the manufacturing sector.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=04000US12&-qr_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_DP5YR3&-ds_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-_sse=on |title=American Factfinder; Florida |publisher=United States Census Bureau |date=2005–2009 |access-date=February 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210210652/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=04000US12&-qr_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_DP5YR3&-ds_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-_sse=on |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Georgia Pacific is the single largest private employer in the city. The [[Koch Industries|Koch]]-owned firm employs 1,470 people at its pulp, paper, and plywood operations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eflorida.com/profiles/CountyReport.asp?CountyID=35&Display=all  |title=Putnam County Profile |publisher=eflorida |access-date=February 3, 2011}}</ref> PDM Bridge is another large manufacturing company operating in Palatka. Their facility is located in [[Barge Port]] on the St. Johns River. The [[Eau Claire, Wisconsin]]-based bridge builder utilizes the river for the transportation of its finished products.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pdmbridge.com/index.cfm?event=DisplayContentPieceById&contentPieceId=442 |title=Who we are |publisher=PDM Bridge, LLC |access-date=February 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319200636/http://www.pdmbridge.com/index.cfm?event=DisplayContentPieceById&contentPieceId=442 |archive-date=March 19, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> PDM Bridge is notable for the fabrication of the [[Woodrow Wilson Bridge]] structure.

The Palatka area was of early significance in accessing the interior of the state. This significance was due to its location at the end of an expansive portion of waterway at the divide between the upper and  lower [[St. Johns River]]. First established as a trading outpost, tourism would eventually boom and fuel growth for decades. The decline of [[ferry|waterborne]] travel in Northeast Florida, and the United States in general, ultimately reduced the importance of tourism in the city. Nowadays, large international airports and bypassing interstate highways carry vacationers to destinations further south. Only 7.1% of Palatka's labor force works in arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US1253875&-qr_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_DP5YR3&-ds_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-_sse=on |title=American Factfinder; Palatka Economic Data |publisher=United States Census Bureau |date=2005–2009 |access-date=February 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210212552/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US1253875&-qr_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_DP5YR3&-ds_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-_sse=on |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref> compared to Florida's 15.5% across tourist related industries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=04000US12&-qr_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_DP5YR3&-ds_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-_sse=on |title=American Factfinder; Florida Economic Data |publisher=United States Census Bureau |date=2005–2009 |access-date=February 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210210652/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=04000US12&-qr_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_DP5YR3&-ds_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-_sse=on |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In recent years, the Putnam County government has adopted policies focused on facilitating [[Ecotourism]] in the region. Nature trails are being expanded and kayaking waterways have been improved and mapped. Portions of the [[Florida Trail]] runs through the area and connect local hiking trails to other trail systems in parks throughout the region.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.putnam-fl.com/putnam_uploads/uploads/planning_documents/Putnam_County_Trails_Plan_032409.pdf |title=Putnam County Trails Master Plan |publisher=Putnam County Board of County Commissioners |year=2009 |access-date=February 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819115343/http://www.putnam-fl.com/putnam_uploads/uploads/planning_documents/Putnam_County_Trails_Plan_032409.pdf |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> [[Ocala National Forest]]  is the second largest National Forest in the state. Other large parks include [[Welaka State Forest]], [[Etoniah Creek State Forest]] and [[Dunns Creek|Dunns Creek State Park]]. Other conservation areas exist under the management of the Putnam Land Conservancy and [[St. Johns River Water Management District]]. Both entities operate regionally and identify and protect ecologically sensitive areas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.putnamlandconservancy.org |title=About Your Putnam Land Conservancy |publisher=Putnam Land Conservancy, Inc |date= 2011-02-02 |access-date=February 3, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.sjrwmd.com/overview.html |title= Overview and mission |publisher= St. Johns River Water Management District |year= 2010 |access-date= February 3, 2011 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101222000458/http://sjrwmd.com/overview.html |archive-date= December 22, 2010 }}</ref> If progress continues, and ecotourism creates a vibrant local economy, economic incentives could drive further preservation of the natural habitats, benefitting the environment as a whole.

Of residents aged 16 years and over, 53.3% were in the labor force; 45.6% were employed and 7.6% unemployed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US1253875&-qr_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_DP5YR3&-ds_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-_sse=on |title=American Factfinder |publisher=United States Census Bureau |date=2005–2009 |access-date=February 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210212552/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US1253875&-qr_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_DP5YR3&-ds_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-_sse=on |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Compared to Florida's average, Palatka has a higher percentage of unemployed. Of the same survey, the State's unemployment was 4.6% of the available labor force.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=04000US12&-qr_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_DP5YR3&-ds_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-_sse=on |title=American Factfinder |publisher=United States Census Bureau |date=2005–2009 |access-date=February 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210210652/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=04000US12&-qr_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_DP5YR3&-ds_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-_sse=on |archive-date=February 10, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  The current Florida unemployment rate, published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, stands at 7.0%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.fl.htm |title=Florida |publisher=U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |date=December 2010 |access-date=February 3, 2011}}</ref> The Palatka area is bordered on all sides by four separate [[metropolitan statistical area]]s. Of those, the [[Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach metropolitan area|Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach]], [[Gainesville, Florida metropolitan area|Gainesville]], and [[Jacksonville metropolitan area|Jacksonville]] metropolitan statistical areas all had better performing unemployment statistics than Palatka in 2011, when the unemployment rate in the Palatka Micropolitan Statistical Area was 13.8%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.bls.gov/pdq/SurveyOutputServlet;jsessionid=59AA71E3062D14A181D0972535C39C73.tc_instance4 |title=Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Palatka |publisher=U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics  |date=December 2010 |access-date=February 3, 2011}}</ref> Gainesville showed the most favorable conditions with an unemployment rate of 8.7%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.bls.gov/pdq/SurveyOutputServlet;jsessionid=5BDABC742512602D68A0D939EB8EC604.tc_instance4 |title=Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Gainesville |publisher=U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics  |date=December 2010 |access-date=February 3, 2011}}</ref> Statistics for Palm Coast and Ocala both indicated unemployment rates higher than that of Palatka. Regionally, the employment numbers of Palm Coast have been hit hardest; the bedroom community has an unemployment rate currently at 16.6%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.bls.gov/pdq/SurveyOutputServlet;jsessionid=F3DFE16D3F64637AD71B02E2A513BBB1.tc_instance4 |title=Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Palm Coast |publisher=U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics  |date=December 2010 |access-date=February 3, 2011}}</ref>

==Sites of interest==

[[File:Palaka Bronson-Mulholland01.jpg|thumb|right|225px|[[Bronson-Mulholland House]]]]
The following entries are listed on the National Register of Historic Places:
* [[Palatka (Amtrak station)|Old Atlantic Coast Line Union Depot]], home of the [http://www.railsofpalatka.org/ Palatka Railroad Preservation Society]
* [[Bronson-Mulholland House]] (1854), home of the [http://www.rootsweb.com/~flpchs/soc_info.htm Putnam County Historical Society & Museum]
* [[Central Academy]], Florida's first accredited African-American high school
* [[Larimer Memorial Library]]
* [[Palatka North Historic District]]
* [[Palatka South Historic District]]
* [[Ravine Gardens State Park]]
* [[St. Mark's Episcopal Church (Palatka, Florida)|St. Mark's Episcopal Church]]

==Gallery==

<gallery>
File:A Palmetto Glade Near Palatka, Florida.jpg|Palmetto glade in 1893
File:An Orange Grove Near Palatka, Florida.jpg|Orange grove in 1893
File:Hiawatha at the Landing, Palatka, FL.jpg|Steamer ''Hiawatha'' in 1905
File:Lemon Street, Palatka, FL.jpg|Lemon Street in 1915
</gallery>

==Sister cities==

Palatka has one [[sister cities|sister city]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040213121642/http://www.dos.state.fl.us/oir/sister/cities.html Sister Cities. State of Florida] (June 13, 2004). Archived from [https://web.archive.org/web/20040113091240/http://www.myflorida.com/ My Florida]. Retrieved on 2011-01-20.</ref>
* {{Flag icon|Russia}} [[Palatka, Magadan Oblast|Palatka]], [[Russia]] (1991)

==See also==
* [[List of people from Palatka, Florida]]

==References==

{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==

{{commons category|Palatka, Florida}}
* [http://palatka-fl.gov/ City of Palatka]
* [https://archive.today/20120905110749/http://www.palatkadailynews.com/about_us Palatka Daily News]
* Historic issues of the [http://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00023797/00003/allvolumes2?search=palatka+%3ddaily+%3dnews Palatka Daily News] (1884-1888), [http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00075922/00053/allvolumes2 Palatka News] (1905, 1907), [http://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00023798/00001/allvolumes2 Palatka News and Advertiser] (1902-1905, 1910-1917), and the [http://ufdc.ufl.edu/AA00023799/allvolumes2 Palatka Daily News] (1919, 1921-1922) at [http://ufdc.ufl.edu/ndnp/newspapers Florida and Puerto Rico Digital Newspaper Project] 
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160303175933/http://roamingfeet.com/id76.htm Palatka Florida] local guide
* [http://www.sjrstate.edu/ St. Johns River State College]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110424195322/http://palatka-florida.com/news/ Palatka Florida Community News]
* [http://www.aandabluegrass.com/Festivals/PalatkaBluegrassFestival.html Palatka Bluegrass Festival]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110207191429/http://theridesolution.com/ Ride Solution] local public transit
* {{Wikivoyage inline|Palatka}}

{{PCFPEI}}
{{Putnam County, Florida}}
{{Florida}}
{{North Florida}}
{{Jacksonville Metro}}
{{Florida county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Palatka, Florida| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Putnam County, Florida]]
[[Category:Populated places on the St. Johns River]]
[[Category:County seats in Florida]]
[[Category:Micropolitan areas of Florida]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1821]]
[[Category:Cities in Florida]]
[[Category:1821 establishments in Florida Territory]]
[[Category:Utopian communities in the United States]]