The term “cracker” dates at least as far back as Shakespeare, who coined it in the play King John.  From the early 19th century it was used to describe the hardy, self-reliant and often poor pioneers who migrated from the north in search of a better life in the harsh Florida wilderness.  Later, the term became associated with Florida’s rugged cattlemen.

Cattle, descended from stock left behind by the Spanish, roamed freely in the Florida woodlands.  Cow hunters used whips to flush the cattle from the underbrush and drive them to ports for shipment north or to Cuba. Whips were not used to strike the cattle.  They were popped in the air to make a “crack” sound to get the cattle moving.  The sound traveled great distances, making the whip an essential communication tool between cowmen.   A commonly used 120 mile cattle drive route across the south central part of the state is known today as the Florida Cracker Trail.