Near Weeki Wachee in Hernando County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Bayport
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, June 1, 2013
1. Bayport Marker
Inscription.
Bayport. . The interior of Central Florida opened for settlement by whites in the mid-1840s following the end of the Second Seminole War. In the absence of roads and railroads, coastal and inland waterways provided the transportation routes essential to farmers for marketing crops and receiving supplies. The village of Bayport, located at the mouth of the Weekiwachee River, sprang up in the early 1850s as a supply and cotton port. During the War Between the States, Union naval squadrons blockaded Florida's coasts to prevent goods and supplies from passing into and out of the State. By 1863, the East Gulf Blockade Squadron effectively closed the larger ports along the Gulf Coast. Small rivers, such as the Weekiwachee, became important trade routes. Shipping at Bayport attracted the attention of the Union Blockade Squadron, which intercepted eleven blockade runners near there between 1862 and 1865. After the war, Bayport became Hernando County's major outlet for lumber and agriculture products, and continued to serve as its transportation center until railroad service came to Brooksville in 1885.
The interior of Central Florida opened for settlement by whites in the mid-1840s following the end of the Second Seminole War. In the absence of roads and railroads, coastal and inland waterways provided the transportation routes essential to farmers for marketing crops and receiving supplies. The village of Bayport, located at the mouth of the Weekiwachee River, sprang up in the early 1850s as a supply and cotton port. During the War Between the States, Union naval squadrons blockaded Florida's coasts to prevent goods and supplies from passing into and out of the State. By 1863, the East Gulf Blockade Squadron effectively closed the larger ports along the Gulf Coast. Small rivers, such as the Weekiwachee, became important trade routes. Shipping at Bayport attracted the attention of the Union Blockade Squadron, which intercepted eleven blockade runners near there between 1862 and 1865. After the war, Bayport became Hernando County's major outlet for lumber and agriculture products, and continued to serve as its transportation center until railroad service came to Brooksville in 1885.
W. Marker is near Weeki Wachee, Florida, in Hernando County. It is on Cortez Boulevard, on the right when traveling south. Marker is at the end of Cortez Boulevard near pier in Historic Cortez Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4140 Cortez Boulevard, Spring Hill FL 34607, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast and on Tampa Bay. 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.
Also see . . . History of Bayport, Hernando County Florida.
An article in the Tampa Herald on August 31, 1854, reported, “Major John Parsons had expended a large amount of his means to bring this place into notice, and will not fail in his undertaking. He has laid the town off into lots, and will dispose of them to any one that will improve them at once. He has left a beautiful square of three acres in the centre of the town for a public walk, and
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 17, 2020
2. Bayport Marker after restoration
enclosed with all the different types of trees with which our forest abounds.... There are at present seven families living here, and, all told about sixty persons, and would be more if the people could get lumber for building purposes. A Hotel will soon be erected for the purpose of invalids; and the spirited contractor of the mail route will have a hack line to run from the Court House, whenever it is necessary, or desired, for the conveyence of passengers.” (Submitted on April 10, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, March 17, 2020
3. Bayport Marker looking toward the docks
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 17, 2006
4. Bayport Beach Park
Marker is located in the park to the right of this image.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 17, 2006
5. Bayport Beach Park Pier
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 17, 2006
6. Mouth of Weekiwatchee River from the pier
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 17, 2006
7. Gulf of Mexico from the pier
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 17, 2006
8. Historic Bayport Inn
Credits. This page was last revised on March 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2013, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,707 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on July 28, 2013, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on March 19, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on April 10, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
