Orange City in Volusia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

A Fossil from the Steamboat Age

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, October 25, 2021

1. A Fossil from the Steamboat Age Marker

Inscription. This shaft once turned a paddlewheel on the steamboat FANNIE DUGAN. FANNIE, a sidewheeler, was one of the many riverboats that stopped at Blue Spring in the late 1800’s. The boat wharf was located in the area of the present-day fishing dock. A few old pilings remain.

FANNIE DUGAN started her career at Portsmouth on the Ohio River. She was later brought to Florida and after brief service on the St. Johns River was abandoned in a creek near here.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 28° 56.554′ N, 81° 20.526′ W. Marker is in Orange City, Florida, in Volusia County. Marker can be reached from Magnolia Avenue (Becker Boulevard), one mile south of West French Avenue. Marker and steamboat shaft are located near marina and boardwalk at Blue Spring State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2100 West French Avenue, Orange City FL 32763, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Bartram at Blue Spring (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thursby House (about 600 feet away); William Bartram Trail (approx. 2½ miles away); Orange City Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.6 miles away); Dickinson Memorial Library

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(approx. 2.7 miles away); Rollins College (approx. 2.7 miles away); Orange City Colored School (approx. 2.8 miles away); Southern Magnolia (approx. 4.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orange City.

Also see . . . Sunken Treasure Keeps DeBary Historian on his toes. It was an aging steamboat that had been running on the Ohio River for a decade. Railroads were creating even more competition up North than they were in Florida. The Fannie Dugan was expendable. When DeBary-Baya bought it in the spring of 1884, it needed massive refurbishing. But despite the rehab work, the Fannie Dugan wasn't destined to last long on the St. Johns. Near the end of 1885, it was abandoned in DeBary Creek. The details of its loss remained a mystery and the subject of much speculation through the years. (Submitted on October 26, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, October 25, 2021

2. A Fossil from the Steamboat Age Marker

(boardwalk and St. Johns River in background)

Fannie Dugan Steamboat Shaft image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, October 25, 2021

3. Fannie Dugan Steamboat Shaft

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 187 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 26, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.