1 ) The edges of the logo pay homage to the burlap that was so essential during the first two-thirds of Lake City’s history.  It has endured and, for at least the first 100 years or more, could be used to define our agricultural economy and lifestyle.

2 ) The darker brown and brown-black colored areas of the logo background pays homage to the very dirt that was—and is—the foundation of Lake City.  It’s rich and dark in some areas, sandy and light in others, and clay-colored in still other areas.  Even so, the diversity of the soil allowed our residents to use what they had to their best advantage.  It’s a resource that has always been a friend and will likely continue to be the best friend we have on into the future.

3 ) The tiny “wrinkles” you see throughout this logo represent the sun-parched, dry, cracked skin so evident on the hands, arms, backs and necks of those residents that made their living in the dirt, or contributed to the advancements of agriculture over the past 150 years.  Lake City enjoys a very proud agriculture heritage.  It is etched in the skin of the vast majority of past and present Lake Citians.

4 ) The lines you see crossing the County represent the many pathways and roads that made Lake City the Gateway to Florida starting with the earliest Spanish explorers.

5 ) The logo pays homage to the tobacco leaf.  Many of today’s residents, then just school children, remember the many hours they spent in the tobacco fields, which have all but disappeared.  The cured, dry leaf had a wrinkled appearance that will remain fixed in the memories of every Lake Citizen that ever toiled in the hot sun or summer heat preparing the tobacco leaf for delivery to the markets.

6 ) At the top and bottom of Columbia County are two highlighted areas.  The bottom symbolic of roots—where we came from, and the top symbolic of the burnished edges, like those of some rose petals, the most outward part—or where we are now—at any given moment.  What goes on between the root and the outer-most part of the petal is defined as “growth”.  Growth is a constant motion of moving outward, falling back and, during trying times, remaining dormant to conserve or build resources for sustainment.  However, growth is the nature of moving forward, however the speed may be measured. 

7 ) The black shadows (or outlines) separate the background from the foreground—or the past from the current.  The background supports everything we are today and hope to become in the future.  It is a part of us, but separate from where we are in the “now” sense, as each new day brings forth fresh ideas, life and progress. 

8 ) The star in the logo denotes Lake City as having “Pinnacle” status.  We were—and remain—progressive, astute, professional and proud.  We have a proud tradition of “firsts”.  We were, and are, a center for commerce, education, recreation and development but maintain our proud heritage as a pioneer City and Florida cross-roads.  We are still the “way-point” for many travelers coming into and leaving Florida.  We are still the Welcome Sign to Florida.