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High Springs County Florida

Parks | History | Additional Links

Located in beautiful north Florida halfway between Gainesville and Lake City, our area offers delights for the nature lover,

sportsman, and historian. Canoe our pristine rivers, dive or splash into a crystal clear spring, shop till you find that item

you never thought you would find, or just relax with an ice cream and admire one of our many historic buildings. Stroll our

tree-lined streets and stop to enjoy our fine eateries, browse to your heart's content through our antique, specialty and gift

shops. At the end of the day soothe yourself in our Spas then rest in one of our cozy Bed & Breakfast or Country Inns

Parks

• Ginnie Springs
• Blue Springs
• Poe Springs
• Sante Fe Canoe Outpost
• River Rise Preserve

History

Bones of prehistoric mammals and tools of paleo-Indians have been recovered from springs and rivers near High Springs.

Hernando de Soto led his expedition through this area around 1539, and in the 17th century Indian villages and a large Spanish

mission flourished near the Ichetucknee and Santa Fe Rivers. 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 a

Crockett Springs, located about three miles east of present day High Springs. Settlers who were living there during the 1840`s

ncluded 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 Stantaffey, 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 1880 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 became the "Antique Capital" of North Central Florida. Quaint shops await you,

friendly faces welcome you. Today, visitors to the High Springs area prize these waters for their recreational value- for scuba

diving, swimming, fishing, canoeing, and tubing- as well as their natural beauty. Ichetucknee Springs State Park stretches along the

crystal-clear, spring-fed Ichetucknee River, about fifteen miles north of High Springs. Dive the springs or drift along on an

innertube through unspoiled natural wilderness. Blue Springs is a must see - family owned and operated since 1958 with 250 acres

of the "Real Florida". Stroll along 1/4 mile boardwalk as it follows the springs run into the scenic Santa Fe River, or gaze into the

crystal blue depths from the dock overlooking the springs boil. A dip into 72 degree water is sure to leave you feeling refreshed

and recharged. Ginnie Springs is a mecca for serious scuba divers. Nine springs, including the incredible Devil`s Eye, well up in

sparkling abundance. Tubing and canoeing on the Santa Fe River and camping in wooded sites complement the excellent diving.

Poe Springs Park is five miles west of High Springs on the Santa Fe River. Recently rennovated, it has been a popular attraction fo

r decades. O`Leno State Park, six miles north of the heart of High Springs, is on the site of the old town of Leno. Bypassed by the

railroad, this unlucky town just evaporated. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps developed it as one of Florida`s first state

parks, and the rustic buildings and suspension bridge the CCC built over the Santa Fe River are still in use. Within the borders of the

park is the land bridge created when the river sinks below the surface, only to emerge several miles away. Camp Kulaqua, site of

historic Hornsby Springs where many prehistoric artifacts have been recovered, offers horseback, camping, water sports and a zoo.

Additional Links

Camping Information

Scuba Diving Information

Springs Information