1948 – Frederick Preston Cone, the 27th Governor of Florida died at his home in Lake City on this date. Born on 28th, 1871 in Columbia County, Cone attended the Florida Agricultural College. Despite never graduating with a law degree, Cone passed the Florida Bar Exam and began practicing law in Lake City. He was elected Mayor of Lake City for three consecutive terms before serving in the State Senate from 1907 -1913. When Cone began his tenure as Governor in 1937, Florida was deep into the Great Depression and new legislation was difficult to pass. The state Highway Patrol was established under his tenure, and Florida participated in the 1939 New York World’s Fair with a large Florida pavilion. He is buried in the Prospect Primitive Baptist Cemetery in Hamilton County.