Near Crystal River in Citrus County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Withlacoochee Bay Trail
Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway
The Price of Progress
Picture massive barges, tugboats and trawlers clogging the bay. This was to be the west end of the Cross Florida Barge Canal, where the water enters the Gulf of Mexico. The canal would have impacted Florida's fresh and seawater systems.
State leaders wanted to make this the center of a vast commercial waterway network. They planned to dig a Gulf Intracoastal channel between St. Marks, 120 miles to the northwest, and Tarpon Springs, 60 miles to the south.
A Very Different Place
Imagine how different this area would be if ships and dredges filled the water. Small industry would have surrendered to new ports, highways and factories. Environmental impacts — such as damage to seagrass and recreational scalloping and fishing — would have been significant.
Erected by Florida State Parks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #36 Lyndon B. Johnson series list.
Location. 28° 59.734′ N, 82° 44.116′ W. Marker is near Crystal River , Florida, in Citrus County. Marker is on Withlacoochee Bay Trail, 4.6 miles west of North Suncoast Boulevard (U.S. 19). Marker is located in the kiosk at the west end of the Withlacoochee Bay Trail. It is 4.9 miles west of the trailhead, which is in Felburn Park at 10201 North Suncoast Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Crystal River FL 34428, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Felburn Park (approx. 4.9 miles away); Inglis Island Overlook (approx. 6.1 miles away); Inglis Bypass Spillway (approx. 6.2 miles away); Inglis Main Dam (approx. 7.3 miles away); Inglis Lock (approx. 7.4 miles away); Historic Crystal River Train Depot (approx. 10.8 miles away); Crystal Street Historic Oak Canopy (approx. 10.8 miles away); Kings Bay Park (approx. 10.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Crystal River.
More about this marker. Access to the marker is via foot or bicycle on the Withlacoochee Bay Trail. Nearby marker, "Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway," is replicated at multiple locations along the greenway.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway
Also see . . .
1. Withlacoochee Bay Trail. Florida State Parks website entry:
The Withlacoochee Bay Trail traverses five miles west from the Felburn Park Trailhead to the Gulf of Mexico, along the southern side of the former Cross Florida Barge Canal. This 12-foot-wide, multi-use paved trail runs adjacent to the barge canal for the first 2.5 miles and then switches its path to the south side of the berm that was created by the canal's excavation. (Submitted on February 22, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. Florida State parks website entry:
One of the nation's largest incomplete public works projects has been transformed into the diverse Cross Florida Greenway, spanning Central Florida from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Johns River. (Submitted on February 22, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 22, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 228 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 22, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.