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. 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

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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.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1885.

Location. 30° 19.764′ N, 82° 45.547′ W. Marker is in White Springs, Florida, in Hamilton County. It is on Bridge Street south of Spring Street (U.S. 41), on the right

View from marker towards part of historic district. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 7, 2020

2. View from marker towards part of historic district.

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.

Regionally, this marker is in North 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 Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Residents of White Springs (within shouting distance of this marker); Agriculture Industry in White Springs (within shouting distance of this marker); White Sulphur Springs (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Florida’s Original Tourist Destination (about 500 feet away); Wars and Conflicts in White Springs (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); White Springs (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Historic Architecture of White Springs

The Historic Telford Hotel. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, March 7, 2020

3. The Historic Telford Hotel.

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.

(approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in White Springs.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on White Springs. (Submitted on March 8, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

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 770 times since then and 88 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 8, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.