Around North Florida

Edward Ball Wakulla Springs is a 6,000 acre State Park located south of Tallahassee. Its main feature is the Wakulla Springs, which produces between 150,000 to 600,000 gallons of water per minute. It is one of the largest and deepest fresh water springs in the United States. The water flows from one single cave, which is almost four acres in size. The cave is connected to a vast network of tunnels, which are still being explored by scientists. The spring feeds the Wakulla river, and then flows into the St. Marks River down into the Apalachee Bay. Its water and the banks of the Wakulla River provide a natural habitat for various fish, turtles, alligators and birds. The surrounding park is also very unique; some of the oldest and most beautiful American beech-southern magnolia forests can be found in its woodlands and one can also admire the magnificent and ancient cypress trees throughout the park.

As early as 12,000 years ago the first native people arrived and settled in Florida in different areas. Artifacts and mounds have shown that Wakulla Springs had one of the first settlements. In the twentieth century, the area received wide publicity when a huge mastodon skeleton was found in and lifted out of the water. At this time, the site was in private hands, having been sold from person to person and company to company. A threat emerged in the 1920s to the region, because of land developments and oil explorations. A proposition was made in 1923 to make Wakulla Springs a national park, but it was set aside in 1925 after George T. Christie of Jacksonville acquired the property. Christie hoped to open a tourist resort around the spring basin. Perhaps fortunately for the site and for its future development and preservation, Christie went into ruin and the property was auctioned in 1934. The most important moment for the development of Wakulla Springs as a State Park was probably June of 1934 when Edward Ball began to acquire plots of the land in the area, and by September, he had purchased the spring. Ball opened Wakulla Springs as a nature attraction, focusing on the preservation of wildlife and the conservation of the region’s natural features. In 1963, Ball leased the property to the National Audubon Society as a bird sanctuary. Then, in 1966, the site was given further protection with the creation of the Edward Ball Wildlife Foundation. In 1986, the State of Florida bought one half of the property, and in 2000 bought the rest. State control has enabled a better protection of the entire natural environment.

Wakulla Springs State Park and Lodge is listed on the Natural Register of Historic Places and is designated as a National Natural Landmark. Today, Wakulla Springs Park benefits from a Park management program. One aspect of this program is the management of its resource. It involves taking care of the habitats and cultural resources of the Park. The Florida Park Service is working on restoring the park to its 19th century condition by replanting longleaf pines that were cut down in the 1930s. Those pines will provide habitat for various animals and birds. Although the restoration of the land was successful, the park had to face an intrusive underwater attack. Since 1997, an aquatic weed has been growing rapidly, invading the spring and river, and putting in danger the native vegetation and wildlife of the site. The park has now implemented removal methods to control the weeds.

Wakulla Springs State Park is a unique part of Florida’s historic heritage. Its origins are ancient, its river is supplied by an impressive spring linked with never-ending caves, and the place is an amazingly well preserved natural environment. Going there for a visit is always an impressive experience, mostly because Florida has been able to preserve the environment while giving the public a rare opportunity to observe wildlife in its habitat.