Florida - 1855 - INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT FUND CREATED
The first Internal Improvement Fund is passed by the General Assembly in 1855. This act provided public land as an incentive for the construction of railroads and canals in the state. This assistance enabled the Tallahassee to St. Marks railroad to upgrade in 1855 from mule power to steam engines. Construction of the Florida Railroad that would run from Fernandina to Cedar Key began in 1855, and the Jacksonville to Tallahassee line began construction in 1857.
