in 1947 , was the first suspension bridge in Florida . A new power plant was constructed at Ellaville ( formerly Columbus ), and telephone and electrical service were provided to the entire county for the first time . US 129 and US 90 were straightened through Live Oak during the 1950s , allowing for better traffic flow at the expense of many of the live oak trees that had graced the downtown area since its founding . In 1952 , Norm Protsman of WNER and others founded the Suwannee River Jamboree , North Florida ’ s largest and best-known country music show . It continued for several decades with many country stars performing every year . In a sense , it was a precursor to the even larger music festivals such as the Suwannee River Jam held at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park north of Live Oak . The Florida Sheriff ’ s Boys ’ Ranch was opened in 1957 on the Suwannee River for troubled and abandoned boys from around the state . One of the original patrons was Elvis Presley , who donated a cottage used in one of his movies . The facilities have been gradually expanded to include a gym , school , church , fire department , and various small businesses .
In September of 1964 , Hurricane Dora inundated Suwannee County , particularly Live Oak , with rain . Downtown Live Oak suffered major damage as some businesses were covered with several feet of water . President Lyndon B . Johnson addressed County officials via satellite to declare the county a disaster area . Gradually the waters receded , revealing millions of dollars ’ worth of damage to homes , businesses , and government buildings . The level of damage was not exceeded until 2012 ’ s Tropical Storm Debby .
The landscape of Live Oak and Suwannee County changed after Hurricane Dora , with several businesses moving to higher ground , razing older structures such as the Parshley Building and Governor Cary Hardee ’ s home in the process . School classrooms were relocated , and starting in 1965 , they were integrated with white and African-American students attending the same schools . The
Hurricane Dora , 1964
last segregated class to graduate was that of Douglass High School in 1969 , at which time total integration was complete within Suwannee County after a peaceful transition . Several large business facilities entered Suwannee County in the 1960s , including the Goldkist ( now Pilgrim ’ s Pride ) chicken processing plant west of Live Oak that opened in 1967 .
The 1970s saw increased growth in the county as structures such as a distribution warehouse opened on a 40-acre tract of land near In-
Hurricane Dora , 1964
terstate-10 . A new Live Oak City Hall was completed in 1978 several blocks to the east of the original building , which continued to be used by the police and fire departments until newer structures were purchased or constructed . The original structure , completed in 1909 and completely renovated and restored 100 years later , continues to serve today as the home of the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce . Additional services were added to the community , including the Suwannee River Water
2022-2023 | SUWANNEE CHAMBER IMPACT 19