Crystal River in Citrus County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Watery World
| | Crystal River Archaeological State Park | |
Photographed by Brandon D Cross
1. Watery World Marker
Lagoon
As you listen to the sound of the Crystal River as it flows by, imagine yourself here a thousand years ago when Native Americans once called this place home. Native peoples utilized a natural lagoon located where you are standing as a canoe landing and entrance to their bustling village and ceremonial space.
Gone Fishing
As you look out you might see boats with people fishing along the river and into the estuary. While the technology has changed, the Native residents of Crystal River also fished these waters in search of a good catch. Fishing-related artifacts found here like bone fish hooks and gorges help us understand how they used the environment to sustain their community.
Shifting Shores
What happened to this water feature? In modern times a landowner filled in the lagoon using shells and soil bulldozed from Mound A and the nearby midden. If the State of Florida had not acquired the Crystal River site in 1964, no doubt more of the mound would have been lost.
(captions)
Clockwise from left: Fish vertebra or backbone from an ancient meal. Stone plummet or sinker, bone fish hook, and bone gorge all likely used for fishing (objects shown at double their actual size).
Erected by
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Parks & Recreational Areas.
Location. 28° 54.454′ N, 82° 37.671′ W. Marker is in Crystal River, Florida, in Citrus County. It can be reached from North Museum Point 0.1 miles south of West State Park Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located within Crystal River Archaeological State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3400 N Museum Pt, Crystal River FL 34428, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It is also in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A View from the Top (within shouting distance of this marker); A Place to Call Home (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mystery in Stone (about 400 feet away); Remembering the Dead (about 500 feet away); A Separate Resting Place (about 700 feet away); Crystal River: An Enduring Legacy (approx. 0.2 miles away); Temple or Stage? (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kings Bay Park (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Crystal River.
Also see . . .
1. Crystal River Archaeological State Park. (Submitted on March 7, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Crystal River Archaeological State Park
Photographed by Brandon D Cross
2. Watery World Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 127 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 7, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
