De Leon Springs in Volusia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
De Leon Springs Becomes a State Park
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 15, 2021
1. De Leon Springs Becomes a State Park Marker
People have lived near the spring for over 6,000 years! Since the late 1800s, the spring has attracted visitors from all over the world. Until 1982, De Leon Springs was privately owned. In 1980 the owner, George Thofehrn, wanted to sell the property, which he was operating as a private recreational park.
The Dogwood Circle of the De Leon Springs Garden Club started a movement to convince the state to purchase the park. This led to the formation of Save Our Springs (SOS), a group dedicated to preserving De Leon Springs for the public. Meg Johnson, the SOS chairman, made several trips to Tallahassee to convince the state it should help. Local residents joined in the effort, starting a letter writing campaign and gathering 13,000 signatures on the petitions. Volusia County also became involved, pledging $200,000 toward the purchase.
After two long years of tireless work by Meg and SOS, Mr. Thofehrn and representatives from the state signed the contract on June 2, 1982. Immediately following the transaction, the State of Florida flag was raised at the park entrance and it became De Leon Springs State Park.
On August 6, 1982, Governor Bob Graham attended the official dedication of Florida's newest state park. Today, the park is visited by almost 250,000 people a year.
Thanks, Meg!
Thanks to Meg
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is June 2, 1982.
Location. 29° 8.072′ N, 81° 21.749′ W. Marker is in De Leon Springs, Florida, in Volusia County. It can be reached from the intersection of Ponce Deleon Boulevard and County Road 3N. The marker is mounted on the front wall of the De Leσn Springs State Park visitor center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 Ponce Deleon Boulevard, De Leon Springs FL 32130, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Florida’s First Coast. 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, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ponce De Leon Springs (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sugar Mill Wheel (about 400 feet away); Who Built the Sugar Mill? (about 400 feet away); Sugar Mill Machinery (about 400 feet away); The Fountain of Youth (about 400 feet away); The Hotel Clubhouse (about 500 feet away); How Old Are the Live Oak Trees? (about 700 feet away); Horse-Drawn Road Graders (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in De Leon Springs.
Also see . . . De Leon Springs State Park History.
Excerpt:(Submitted on December 2, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Native people known as the Mayaca lived near what is now known as DeLeon Springs for at least 6,000 years before Spanish missions were established in the area in the late 1500s. Mounds and two ancient canoes have been found in the spring. The oldest canoe was carbon dated to about 4050 B.C., making it among the oldest canoes found in America.
2. Marker detail: De Leon Springs State Park DedicationThe dedication ceremony opening De Leon Springs State Park on June 2, 1982 was attended by local and state dignitaries.Third from the left is Clyde Mann, Volusia County Council Chairman, followed by George Thofehrn, Erika Thofehrn, and Meg Johnson.
The first water-powered sugar mill in Florida was built here in 1832 some of the brickwork and machinery are preserved behind the restaurant.
By the late 1800s, the area had become a tourist destination, with a steamboat and railroad providing transportation. To attract tourists, local residents changed the name from Spring Garden to Ponce de Leon Springs and referred to the spring as the Fountain of Youth.
The property became one of over 100 roadside attractions in the state when it opened as Ponce de Leon Springs in 1953. It featured tropical gardens, a jungle cruise, a tram tour and a water-skiing elephant!
3. Marker detail: Visitors Enjoying the Spring Water
Visitors enjoy the refreshing spring water in June, 1982, a couple of weeks after the property became a state park.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 15, 2021
4. De Leon Springs Becomes a State Park Marker
The marker is mounted at eye-level on the left side of the Visitor Center entrance.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 15, 2021
5. De Leon Springs State Park Visitor Center
The marker is visible on the left side of the entrance.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 15, 2021
6. De Leon Springs State Park Entrance
Access the park from the intersection of Ponce Deleon Boulevard and County Road 3N.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 216 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 1, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 2, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
