High Springs in Alachua County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

High Springs, Florida

Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 20, 2013

1. High Springs, Florida Marker

Inscription. The northwest region of Alachua County was probably first settled on a permanent basis by English speaking people during the late 1830's. One of the earliest settlements in the vicinity was at Crockett Springs, located about three miles east of present day High Springs. Settlers who were living there during the 1840's included Fernando Underwood and Marshal Blanton. No town developed in the area before the latter part of the nineteenth century. In 1884, the Savannah, Florida, and Western Railroad was extended from Live Oak to Gainesville. A post office and station were established here in that year under the name of Santaffey, which was a common spelling of the name of the nearby Santa Fe River. The town was also known unofficially as Orion before the name was changed in 1888 to High Springs. In the next few years, High Springs boomed as a result of the development of phosphate mining in the area. In 1892, the town was incorporated. During the next year, the Savannah, Florida, and Western Railroad completed its South Florida Division which connected High Springs with Port Tampa. By

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the beginning of the twentieth century, High Springs was known as an important railroad center. In later years, High Springs has been the focus for the surrounding agricultural region.

Erected 1973 by Alachua County Historical Commission In Cooperation With Department of State. (Marker Number F-217.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 29° 49.659′ N, 82° 35.887′ W. Marker is in High Springs, Florida, in Alachua County. It is on NW 1st Avenue State Route 20 (U.S. 27), on the right when traveling west. Located between NW 1st and NW 2nd Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 NW 1st Avenue, High Springs FL 32643, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Florida.

It is also in the American 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,

High Springs, Florida Marker, along NW 1st Avenue State Route 20 (U.S. 27) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 20, 2013

2. High Springs, Florida Marker, along NW 1st Avenue State Route 20 (U.S. 27)

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: American Legion Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Railroading In High Springs (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Douglass High School (approx. 0.6 miles away); 1824 - The Bellamy Road - 1952 (approx. 4.3 miles away); Springhill Methodist Church/Traxler, Fla. (approx. 4.6 miles away); Spring Hill United Methodist Church / Bellamy Road (approx. 4.6 miles away); William Henry Traxler (approx. 4.6 miles away); "CCC Boy" Statue (approx. 6.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in High Springs.

More about this marker. Drove by today, and the marker has finally been returned to his former location. TF 4/15/25

Also see . . . High Springs. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.5 square miles (48 km2). 18.5 square miles (48 km2) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) of it (0.16%) is water. (Submitted on April 9, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

High Springs, Florida Marker (center) at City Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 20, 2013

3. High Springs, Florida Marker (center) at City Hall

High Springs, Florida, American Legion Veterans Memorial, nearby image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 20, 2013

4. High Springs, Florida, American Legion Veterans Memorial, nearby

Photographed by Dave W, April 16, 2023

5. High Springs, Florida Marker

The marker is no longer in front of the City Hall building.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,853 times since then and 121 times this year. Last updated on April 17, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 9, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5. submitted on April 17, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.