Blue Spring State Park
Encyclopedia
Blue Spring State Park is a state park
located west of Orange City
, Florida
in the United States
. The park is a popular tourist destination; available activities include canoeing, SCUBA diving
, kayaking, fishing, camping, hiking, wildlife watching, and swimming. The spring is the largest on the St. Johns River
and serves as the winter home of many Florida manatee
s that come up the St. Johns to bask in the relatively warm waters (constant 72 Fahrenheit/21 Celsius) of the springs. Over 100 million USgals (378,541.2 m³) of water flow out of Blue Spring into the St. Johns River every day.
The spring was visited by botanist John Bartram
in 1766.
The spring and surrounding land was acquired by the Thursby family in the mid-19th century and a large plantation-style home
built upon a shell mound on the property. The area was excellent for cultivation of citrus fruit, and a small railway was built linking Orange City
to the dock at Blue Spring. Ultimately, the Florida East Coast Railway
was constructed not far from the present-day park. A killing freeze occurred in the 1890s, wiping out area citrus groves and driving the industry south. The Thursbys switched to the tourist trade, taking advantage of the beautiful spring and excellent fishing and hunting opportunities along the St. Johns River
.
The park was acquired by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in 1972 to kick-start its Manatee Protection Program.
is a short paddle down the St. Johns River.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
located west of Orange City
Orange City, Florida
Orange City is a city located in Volusia County, Florida. In the 2000 census the city had a total population of 6,604. In 2004 the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 7,172.-Geography:Orange City is located at ....
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The park is a popular tourist destination; available activities include canoeing, SCUBA diving
Scuba diving
Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater....
, kayaking, fishing, camping, hiking, wildlife watching, and swimming. The spring is the largest on the St. Johns River
St. Johns River
The St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...
and serves as the winter home of many Florida manatee
Manatee
Manatees are large, fully aquatic, mostly herbivorous marine mammals sometimes known as sea cows...
s that come up the St. Johns to bask in the relatively warm waters (constant 72 Fahrenheit/21 Celsius) of the springs. Over 100 million USgals (378,541.2 m³) of water flow out of Blue Spring into the St. Johns River every day.
History
John Bartram
*Hoffmann, Nancy E. and John C. Van Horne, eds., America’s Curious Botanist: A Tercentennial Reappraisal of John Bartram 1699-1777. Memoirs of the American Philosophical Society, vol. 243. ....
in 1766.
The spring and surrounding land was acquired by the Thursby family in the mid-19th century and a large plantation-style home
Louis P. Thursby House
The Thursby House located at Blue Springs State Park in Orange City, Florida was constructed in 1872. The house is a two-story frame structure built from three kinds of center-cut pine that had been milled in Savannah, Ga., and transported by boat to the site....
built upon a shell mound on the property. The area was excellent for cultivation of citrus fruit, and a small railway was built linking Orange City
Orange City, Florida
Orange City is a city located in Volusia County, Florida. In the 2000 census the city had a total population of 6,604. In 2004 the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 7,172.-Geography:Orange City is located at ....
to the dock at Blue Spring. Ultimately, the Florida East Coast Railway
Florida East Coast Railway
The Florida East Coast Railway is a Class II railroad operating in the U.S. state of Florida; in the past, it has been a Class I railroad.Built primarily in the last quarter of the 19th century and the first decade of the 20th century, the FEC was a project of Standard Oil principal Henry Morrison...
was constructed not far from the present-day park. A killing freeze occurred in the 1890s, wiping out area citrus groves and driving the industry south. The Thursbys switched to the tourist trade, taking advantage of the beautiful spring and excellent fishing and hunting opportunities along the St. Johns River
St. Johns River
The St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...
.
The park was acquired by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in 1972 to kick-start its Manatee Protection Program.
Recreation
Fifty-one campsites (27 have electricity) and six cabins are available for those who wish to stay at the park. Swimming is very popular on hot summer days, but is banned during Manatee season. Qualified Scuba divers can descend into the spring cave in season as well. Picnicking is a popular pastime, with pavilions available for groups. The old Thursby plantation house is being maintained and has historical displays. Various wildlife besides manatees can be seen as well. Hontoon Island State ParkHontoon Island State Park
Hontoon Island State Park is a Florida State Park located on Hontoon Island between the St. Johns River and the Hontoon Dead River in Volusia County. It is six miles west of DeLand, off SR 44, and can only be reached by boat or park operated ferry. The island has pine flatwoods, palm and oak...
is a short paddle down the St. Johns River.