Due to sickness, flooding along the river and rumors of the railroad coming to the area, the settlement was moved 4 miles (6 km) east to its present location.

The boom turned to bust as severe freezes in the winters of 1896 and 1897 destroyed the local citrus industry.

The boll weevil ended cotton farming before World War I, and the population shrank to a few hundred people, primarily farmers, ranchers and foresters.

The approximate coordinates for the Town of Fort White is located in southern Columbia County at 29°55′23″N 82°42′51″W / 29.92306°N 82.71417°W / 29.92306; -82.71417 (29.923001, –82.714299),[7] at the intersection of U.S. Route 27 and Florida State Road 47.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Fort White has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km2), all land.

The locals have always known of and enjoyed the crystal clear Ichetucknee River and springs, located 4 miles (6 km) northwest of the town.

In 1970, the state of Florida purchased the Ichetucknee spring and river property from the Loncala Phosphate Corporation.

Columbia County built a paved road, number 238, providing easier access to the springs.

The main tributary from Ichetucknee Springs became one of the most popular tubing destinations in the world, attracting up to 5,000 visitors each day during the summer.

Law enforcement is provided by the Columbia County Sheriff's Office who utilize a sub-station within the city limits.

The county health clinic has a satellite office in Fort White which is open one day each week, but the nearest hospital facility is in Lake City.

[15] The Fort White Sports Complex was constructed in 2005 on 25 acres (10 ha) abutting the high school.

After Ichetucknee Springs State Park opened in 1971, the population in the south end of the county steadily grew to the point where the need for a local facility was substantiated.

A $25 million high school was completed in December 2000 for grades 6–12, having opened in August 2000, in temporary buildings because of construction delays.