Near Interlachen in Putnam County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Kenwood Recreation Area
Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 2, 2021
1. Kenwood Recreation Area Marker
People Made this Landscape
You're at the north shore of Rodman Reservoir, also known as Lake Ocklawaha. This is the most popular access point for paddling, fishing and sightseeing. The history of this human-made landscape goes back centuries to when Spaniards first dreamed of finding a water route across Florida.
Rodman Reservoir was built in 1968 as part of the Cross Florida Barge Canal. A 306-ton "Crusher" machine, dredges and a dam created the 9,000-acre basin. As the canal took shape, scientists and activists campaigned to stop the expensive and destructive project. The canal lost support, but the reservoir remains.
Where the Canal Ended
Just south of the Kenwood boat basin, a straight, human-made channel gives way to the curving Ocklawaha River. This marks the spot where work on the canal stopped. In 1971, President Richard Nixon issued an executive order to end the project, and dredging came to a sudden halt. The canal sat in limbo until 1992 when the lands were designated a greenway.
Erected by Florida State Parks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels
this page online
Location. 29° 31.537′ N, 81° 52.665′ W. Marker is near Interlachen, Florida, in Putnam County. Marker can be reached from Kenwood Boat Ramp Road, 0.8 miles south of County Road 315, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located on the south side of the Kenwood Boat Ramp parking lot, overlooking the boat ramp. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 191 Kenwood Boat Ramp Road, Interlachen FL 32148, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Kirkpatrick Dam (approx. 4.6 miles away); The Edgar Post Office (approx. 6.6 miles away); Lincoln Lane Schoolhouse (approx. 7.2 miles away); Buckman Lock North / Buckman Lock South (approx. 9.1 miles away); Cross Florida Barge Canal Memorial (approx. 10 miles away); Battle At Horse Landing (approx. 10.4 miles away); Eureka West Recreation Area (approx. 10˝ miles away); Hawthorne Cemetery (approx. 12.7 miles away).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway
Also see . . .
1. Cross Florida Barge Canal (Wikipedia).
Courtesy State Archives of Florida
2. Marker detail: Canal Construction
Do you see the size of the truck in the foreground? The canal transformed the land and raised alarm about damage to the aquifer.
2. Kenwood Recreation Area. Fishing tournaments are held almost every weekend at this location. Tournaments range from small boat events (10 to 30 boats) and up to 150+ boats, therefore making Kenwood the most popular fishing excursion launching spot on Rodman. (Submitted on March 6, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Courtesy State Archives of Florida
3. Marker detail: President Richard Nixon
and Florida Governor Claude Kirk
and Florida Governor Claude Kirk
Florida Governor Claude Kirk once supported the canal. He eventually helped persuade President Richard Nixon to stop the project.
University of North Florida, Thomas G. Carpenter Library
4. Marker detail: Florida Defenders of the Environment Poster
A citizen group called Florida Defenders of the Environment led the fight to stop the canal and restore the rivers it disturbed.
5. Marker detail: Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway
The Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway sits on land purchased in the 20th century for a shipping canal across the state. The prolonged political struggle over the canal shows how dreams of progress and preservation shaped Florida.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 2, 2021
6. Kenwood Recreation Area Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 2, 2021
7. Kenwood Recreation Area
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, March 2, 2021
8. Kenwood Boat Ramp & Rodman Reservoir
Credits. This page was last revised on March 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 3, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 406 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on March 6, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
