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.
High Springs, Florida. . 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 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.
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 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
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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. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 29° 49.659′ N, 82° 35.887′ W. Marker was in High Springs, Florida, in Alachua County. Marker was 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 was at or near this postal address: 110 NW 1st Avenue, High Springs FL 32643, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. High Springs, Florida Marker, along NW 1st Avenue State Route 20 (U.S. 27)
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.)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 20, 2013
3. High Springs, Florida Marker (center) at City Hall
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 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,062 times since then and 17 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.