Paisley in Lake County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Birth of the Florida Trail

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, February 17, 2017

1. Birth of the Florida Trail Marker

Inscription. On October 29, 1966, Jim Kern, founder of the Florida Trail Association, and like-minded hiking enthusiasts began building the Florida Trail at the entrance to Clearwater Lake Recreation Area in the Ocala National Forest. The first 26-mile section, completed in 1969, extended northwest through the forest from here to State Road 40. In 1983, the Florida Trail earned Congressional recognition, and was designated the Florida National Scenic Trail under the National Trails System Act of 1968. The Florida Trail is one of eleven National Scenic Trails and one of three contained within a single state. As of the 50th anniversary of the trail in 2016, more than 1000 miles of continuous trail have been completed through the efforts of many volunteers. The trail spans the length of the state from Big Cypress National Preserve in South Florida to Gulf Islands National Seashore in the Panhandle, with a spur trail into Alabama, connecting it to a national trail network from Florida to the Canadian border. Each year many thousands of Floridians and visitors from around the world discover the "real Florida" while walking this footpath

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that passes through the state's varied ecosystems.

Erected 2016 by The Florida Trail Association and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-883.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical date for this entry is October 29, 1966.

Location. 28° 58.601′ N, 81° 33.01′ W. Marker is in Paisley, Florida, in Lake County. It can be reached from Forest Road 536 0.1 miles north of Lake King Road (Road 42), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at the trail head of the Florida Trail in the Clearwater Lake Recreation Site in the Ocala National Forest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 24511 County Road 42, Paisley FL 32767, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Orlando

and in Central Florida.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian

Birth of the Florida Trail Marker and trail on left image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, February 17, 2017

2. Birth of the Florida Trail Marker and trail on left

Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Charles & Henrietta Call (approx. one mile away); The Pitman Residence (approx. 6 miles away); Robert M. McTureous, Jr. (approx. 6.1 miles away); Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway (approx. 7.4 miles away); Fort Mason (approx. 8.6 miles away); The Turpentine Story (approx. 10.8 miles away); The Turpentine Process (approx. 10.8 miles away); Woman's Club of Eustis Building (approx. 11.6 miles away).

Also see . . .
1. Florida Trail Association (FTA). (Submitted on February 21, 2017.)
2. Florida Trail. Wikipedia (Submitted on February 21, 2017.)

3. Florida National Scenic Trail. U.S. Forest Service (Submitted on February 21, 2017.)

Clearwater Lake Recreation Site entrance sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, February 17, 2017

3. Clearwater Lake Recreation Site entrance sign

Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 900 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 19, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.