1821 – Escambia and St. Johns Counties, Florida’s first two counties were created on this date. Their boundaries covered all of present-day Florida, although the population of the territory was centered in both Pensacola and St. Augustine. Escambia was named for the Escambia River, yet the exact origins of the word Escambia are not known. It is most likely derived from a Creek or Choctaw word. St. Johns County is named after San Juan Bautista, a Catholic saint. Today, Florida is partitioned into 67 counties.