Near Ocala in Marion County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

A Beautiful Place

Historic Florida Barge Canal Trail

By Cosmos Mariner, February 13, 2021

1. A Beautiful Place Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

"The Island is flat and sandy with abundant wildlife. Numerous lakes and stands of trees also mark the landscape."

Alvar Hunez Cabeza deVace
Journal Entry, 1536

The geographic area that comprises the present-day Cross Florida Greenway has been influenced for centuries by the interaction of human beings and nature. Particularly important has been the human relationship to water. For millennia, the rivers of this region… have persistently provided sustenance, irrigation and transportation…"

Steven Noll and M. David Tegeder in
"From Exploration to Conservation:
A History of the Marjorie Harris Carr
Cross Florida Greenway."

Erected by Florida State Parks. (Marker Number 2.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 29° 6.205′ N, 82° 5.412′ W. Marker is near Ocala, Florida, in Marion County. Marker

By Cosmos Mariner, February 13, 2021

2. A Beautiful Place Marker

can be reached from the intersection of Southeast 80th Street (County Road 328) and South Pine Avenue (U.S. 441), on the right when traveling east. Marker is located along the trail at "The Island" - Cross Florida Barge Canal Interpretive Park, just south of the Marion County Sheriff's Station. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3260 Southeast 80th Street, Ocala FL 34480, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Historical Perspective (here, next to this marker); Great Depression Public Works Project (here, next to this marker); Protective Perspective (here, next to this marker); Opposition to the Canal (here, next to this marker); Environmental Victory Nears (here, next to this marker); Deliberate Strategy (a few steps from this marker); Conclusive Federal Action (a few steps from this marker); Canal Stopping (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ocala.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Historic Florida Barge Canal Trail

Also see . . . Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca (Wikipedia). Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca was a Spanish explorer of the New World, and one of four survivors of the 1527 Narváez expedition. During eight years of traveling across what is now the US Southwest, he became a trader and faith healer to various Native American tribes before reconnecting with Spanish

By Cosmos Mariner, February 13, 2021

3. A Beautiful Place Marker

(second of eight “Canal Story” markers in this series)

civilization in Mexico in 1536. After returning to Spain in 1537, he wrote an account of his travels, first published in 1542. (Submitted on February 15, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 57 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 15, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.