History of Time Period
The Ordinance of Secession was signed in Tallahassee on January 11, 1861. Many great leaders of the state were opposed to the war, but were Southerners first and fought with the homeland. Florida’s most effective contribution to the cause was food, as the ravages of war came no closer to the capital city than twenty miles south.
It was here at Natural Bridge that a small group of old men and cadets from West Florida Seminary (now Florida State University) successfully defended the capital against attack. It was this heroic effort that distinguished Tallahassee as the only Southern Capital east of the Mississippi River not to fall to the Union Army. It was only two months later, however, that the union leaders returned in victory and raised the Stars and Stripes again over the Capitol, and sent couriers into the countryside to advise the slaves they were now free.
The growth of the state moved southward. Tallahassee’s main industry was State Government, agriculture, and education. The economy was sound and by the end of the century Tallahassee stood on a firm foundation.
War & Reconstruction Krewe Chief- Judd West
Judd was born in Madison, Florida and moved to Tallahassee at the age of one. Judd is a graduate of Leon High School, Tallahassee Community College and Florida A & M University. Judd graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Building Construction and is a Florida Certified General Contractor. He has been employed at Ajax Building Corporation since 1993 where he is currently the Preconstruction Manager.
Judd is a proud Marine and in 1990-1991 he served in Operation Desert Storm with Company “C”, 8th Tank Battalion from Tallahassee who joined forces with the 2nd Marine Division of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina prior to deploying to the Middle East. Upon returning from Operation Desert Storm, Judd was an honorary guest representing the Marine Corp at the Springtime Tallahassee Festival of 1991.
Judd is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, boating, water sports, and just about anything in between.
Judd and his wife Jacki (also a graduate of Leon High School) met at Leon and began dating in college. After several years of dating they were married in 1992. Jacki graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and is currently the Media Specialist at Cobb Middle School.
Judd and Jacki have two children, Justin (13) and Jordan (10) who both attend Trinity Catholic School (also Jacki’s alma mater). Justin enjoys watching and playing many sports but has a passion for tackle football and basketball. Jordan is a new member of the Springtime Tallahassee Jr. Belles & Gents and is also on the dance team at Tallahassee Dance Academy. As a family, they enjoy spending time with friends and family, boating, and water sports.
Judd and Jacki have been members of Springtime Tallahassee since 2007. Since joining the War & Reconstruction Krewe, Judd has served as Libations Officer, Float Chair, Major Party Chair and currently Krewe Chief. He has also been a member of the Andrew Jackson Staff for two years.