Bristol in Liberty County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Torreya Tree

Photographed by Julie Szabo, March 10, 2009

1. Torreya Tree Marker

Inscription. In this vicinity on the Apalachicola River, Hardy Bryan Croom, pioneer Florida planter and botanist, discovered one of the rarest of coniferous trees, Torreya taxifolia circa 1835, and named it for Dr. John Torrey, prominent American botanist. Only four other species exist, but they are in the widely separated areas of China, Japan, and California. Croom’s promising botanical career ended in 1837 when he perished in the wreck of the steamship “Home” off Cape Hatteras.

Erected 1961 by Florida Board of Parks and Historic Memorials. (Marker Number F-46.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 30° 34.58′ N, 84° 56.921′ W. Marker is in Bristol, Florida, in Liberty County. It can be reached from Torreya State Park Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bristol FL 32321,

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United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep 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 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Florida Honors and Remembers our POW’s and MIA’s (approx. 4.8 miles away); Governor Fuller Warren (approx. 8.9 miles away); Sneads Community House (approx. 9.2 miles away); Sneads (approx. 9.2 miles away); Liberty County Veterans Memorial (approx. 10.2 miles away); The First Seminole War (approx. 10.2 miles away); The Apalachicola River - A Florida Blueway

Photographed by Julie Szabo, March 10, 2009

2. Torreya Tree Marker

(approx. 10.2 miles away); Karen's Mound (approx. 10.2 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Florida's Inland Graveyard of Ships (was approx. 10.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Torreya State Park. (Submitted on April 9, 2009, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida.)

Additional commentary.
1. Torreya Taxifolia — Florida Torreya
Text of interpretive panel shown on Photo No. 3.

This planting showcases Torreya taxifolia (Florida Torreya) which is the namesake for Torreya State Park. The Florida Torreya is one of the oldest tree species on earth. Fossil records indicate that this tree was once scattered throughout the Northern Hemisphere and is over 165 million years old!

The estimated population of Florida Torreya in the Apalachicola River region once reached over 600,000 individuals. Most of the large trees were harvested during the first half of the 20th century for use

Torreya Tree Marker Informative Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Julie Szabo, March 10, 2009

3. Torreya Tree Marker Informative Sign

as Christmas trees, riverboat fuel, shingles, and fence posts. Late in the 1950s the Florida Torreya experienced a severe population crash.

Today the Florida Torreya population is estimated to be around 200 individuals. With numbers this low, Florida Torreya is one of North America’s most critically endangered trees.

Florida State Parks in collaboration with the Atlanta Botanical Garden is working to save this unique plant species from extinction. Experimental outplantings of seed grown Torreya individuals have been established in selected ravines in Torreya State Park. This project supports the recovery plan developed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service for this endangered species.

— Submitted April 10, 2009.

Torreya State Park sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Julie Szabo, March 10, 2009

4. Torreya State Park sign

Gregory House, a few hundred feet from Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Julie Szabo, March 10, 2009

5. Gregory House, a few hundred feet from Marker

Hardy Bryan Croom portrait image. Click for full size.

Public domain, 1837

6. Hardy Bryan Croom portrait

Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2009, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. This page has been viewed 3,891 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 7, 2009, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. 6. submitted on December 26, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.