Perhaps the historical significance of Mission de San Martin de Timucua stands out as one of Ichetucknee Springs State Park’s most cherished treasures. This village, established by a blend of Spanish and Native American cultures, served as a pivotal interior mission supporting the prominent Spanish settlement of St. Augustine.
The mission, constructed in 1608, thrived throughout much of the 17th century. The river and springs had been utilized by earlier Native American civilizations, dating back millennia.
In the 1800s, travelers on the historic Bellamy Road often paused at Ichetucknee Springs to quench their thirst. Later in that century, a gristmill and general store were situated at Mill Pond Spring. With abundant limestone near the surface, the region became a key hub for North Florida’s phosphate industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Traces of small surface mines can still be observed throughout the park. Progressing into the 1940s, cypress and longleaf pine forests were harvested by local timber and naval store industries.
Acquired by the state of Florida in 1970 from the Loncala Corporation, Ichetucknee Springs State Park was safeguarded to preserve one of the state’s most remarkable natural wonders. In 1972, the Ichetucknee Spring was designated a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Settlement of Fort White
In the aftermath of the Civil War, northern Florida experienced a surge of settlers. Fort White’s vicinity was still considered untamed frontier when the small community was chartered in 1870. Subsequently, the nearby town of Ichetucknee emerged along the banks of Mill Pond Spring.
By 1884, Ichetucknee boasted its own post office, grist mill, and smithy.
The Ichetucknee River served as the lifeblood for communities and pioneers like the Dampier family. The Dampiers frequented the river banks for swimming, bathing, hunting, fishing, and worship. Before calamitous hurricanes, harsh winters, and a boll weevil infestation afflicted Fort White in the early 1900s, industries encompassed phosphate mining, citrus cultivation, cotton farming, and railroad commerce.
At its peak, Fort White was home to over 2,000 residents.
Legacy of Phosphate Mining
Phosphate extraction in the park transpired across two main eras. Early exploration mining initiated before the 20th century, involving manual excavation using mules and wheelbarrows in nearby sinkholes and depressions.
Subsequently, advanced machinery like boilers, pumps, and steam shovels were employed for extracting ore. A network of narrow-gauge railways was constructed to transport the ore to local railroad lines. Although the initial phase of mining was less
intrusive compared to modern methods, numerous pits were left in the park and still remain today, notably around the Head Spring area.
Remnants of the phosphate age include the series of tram beds crisscrossing the park, remnants from the former railroad transit.
Transition to Turpentine Industry
In the early 1900s, economic adversities led to the decline of Ichetucknee and Fort White. Sawmills and turpentine operations emerged as replacements for the declining industries, resulting in widespread deforestation throughout the region. Much of the original longleaf pine groves in the park were cleared for lumber and turpentine extraction.
Remnants of the turpentine era, such as old catface ‘whiskers’ and clay collecting pots, can still be spotted near ancient snags and stumps.
In the lower river vicinity, cedar trees were harvested and shipped to nearby pencil factories.
Local Traditions and Stories
While tubing down the river is a relatively modern pastime, the springs of Ichetucknee have long been cherished by locals as favored gathering spots. In the days preceding automobiles, individuals endured arduous journeys on rough, dusty roads via horseback or wagon to relish the refreshing waters.
The Head Spring especially served as a popular venue for family reunions, baptisms, picnics, and camping. Anecdotes from the past recount how watermelons were cooled in the feeder springs around the Head Spring. Women used to hoist their skirts to fish, catching their prey bare-handed against logs and hauling them onto the shore.
The Loncala Era and Tubing Traditions
During the 1950s and 1960s, the Loncala Phosphate Company possessed the land surrounding Ichetucknee Springs. It was during this period that tubing gained popularity, drawing hordes of college students from the Gainesville area to partake in this beloved summer activity.
Loncala permitted recreational use of the river, but the influx of visitors overwhelmed both the company and the natural environment.
In 1970, expressing concerns for safeguarding the fragile spring-run ecosystem, Loncala sold the property to the state of Florida for preservation as a state park. The state undertook river cleanup and infrastructure development, leading to the designation of the river and springs as a National Natural Landmark in 1972.
To this day, thousands of individuals enjoy the tubing experience annually, and the Ichetucknee River retains its reputation as one of the state’s purest water bodies.