White Springs in Hamilton County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Welcome to the White Springs Historic District
Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 7, 2020
1. Welcome to the White Springs Historic District Marker
Inscription.
Welcome to the White Springs Historic District. . Sulphur deposits in the limestone layers of the aquifer system in the northern stretches of the Suwannee River cause Florida's historic White Springs to discharge mineral water" containing hydrogen sulfide gas and sulfate. As a result, the springs have been popular with Paleoindians, Native Timucuans, Seminole Indians, and 19th century tourists , all believing the odiferous waters of this second magnitude spring offered medicinal and healing powers.
First known to white settlers as "Mineral Springs" and "Upper Mineral Springs," the settlement that developed around the springs was also known to plantation and pioneer families as "Rebel's Refuge" during the Civil War. While the timber industry fueled the town's incorporation in 1885, the town was also well known as a prosperous vacation destination. During its heyday as a resort, thousands of tourists enjoyed the town's Spring House, river boardwalks, and more than 500 hotel and boarding house rooms.
Today, the timber and phosphate industries are the focus of the local economy, and modern tourists enjoy the more than 5,000 acres of public lands surrounding this quiet river town. The Spring House, the Stephen Foster Museum and Campanile, and 110 other historic structures are all listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Just two miles north of town, the Big Shoals on the Suwannee River offer the only stretch of whitewater in the state. Depending on river levels, the shoals challenge canoeists and kayakers with Class III rapids.
Each year, the town hosts the Florida Folk Festival, The Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair vocal competition, an Antique Tractor and Engine Show, Rural Folklife Days, and many other events and festivals showcasing the rich local heritage at the Stephen Foster Center. Thousands of cyclists roll into town to traverse hundreds of miles of biking and biking trails throughout the year.
Sulphur deposits in the
limestone layers of the
aquifer system in the
northern stretches of the
Suwannee River cause
Florida's historic White Springs to
discharge mineral water" containing
hydrogen sulfide gas and sulfate. As a
result, the springs have been popular with
Paleoindians, Native Timucuans,
Seminole Indians, and 19th century
tourists — all believing the odiferous
waters of this second magnitude spring
offered medicinal and healing powers.
First known to white settlers as
"Mineral Springs" and "Upper Mineral
Springs," the settlement that developed
around the springs was also known to
plantation and pioneer families as
"Rebel's Refuge" during the Civil War.
While the timber industry fueled the
town's incorporation in 1885, the town
was also well known as a prosperous
vacation destination. During its heyday
as a resort, thousands of tourists enjoyed
the town's Spring House, river
boardwalks, and more than 500 hotel and
boarding house rooms.
Today, the timber and phosphate
industries are the focus of the local
economy, and modern tourists enjoy the
more than 5,000 acres of public lands
surrounding this quiet river town. The
Spring House, the Stephen Foster
Museum and Campanile, and 110 other
historic structures are all listed on the
National Register of Historic Places.
Just
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two miles north of town, the
Big Shoals on the Suwannee River offer
the only stretch of whitewater in the
state. Depending on river levels, the
shoals challenge canoeists and kayakers
with Class III rapids.
Each year, the town hosts the
Florida Folk Festival, The Jeanie with the
Light Brown Hair vocal competition, an
Antique Tractor and Engine Show, Rural
Folklife Days, and many other events and
festivals showcasing the rich local heritage
at the Stephen Foster Center. Thousands
of cyclists roll into town to traverse
hundreds of miles of biking and biking
trails throughout the year.
Location. 30° 19.764′ N, 82° 45.547′ W. Marker is in White Springs, Florida, in Hamilton County. Marker is on Bridge Street south of Spring Street (U.S. 41), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10499 Spring Street, White Springs FL 32096, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The former Telford Hotel Restaurant Bed & Breakfast was built in 1902 for William B. Telford and known as the Telford Hotel. Over the years, it has also been a nursing home, private residence, a restaurant and headquarters for a national broadcasting company. This is a contributing building on the National Register of Historic Places and a part of the White Springs Historic District.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 286 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on March 8, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
