DeLeon Springs

Understand

This idyllic spot, 603 acres in all, has been occupied periodically since 8,000 B.C.

John J. Audubon visited Colonel Orlando Rees here at Spring Garden Plantation in 1832. Audubon wrote that the sight of the spring afforded him pleasure sufficient to counterbalance the tediousness of his daylong journey in a carriage drawn by Indian horses from Bulow Plantation.

History

DeLeon Springs was first settled as early as 8000 BCE by local Native American tribes. In the 1500s, Spanish forces passed through. Land was granted near the springs to settlers to establish a plantation called "Spring Garden" where corn, cotton, and sugar cane were grown. Around this time, the Seminole Indians began to settle in the area.

The area came under American ownership after Florida became a territory in 1821; Colonel Orlando Rees built a mill to grind the corn and sugar. Many facilities were destroyed by Union troops during the American Civil War; however, the waterwheel and building remain on the site to this day, now housing a pancake restaurant called "The Old Spanish Sugar Mill", owned and operated by local residents.

The Seminole tribe regained the land during the Second Seminole War and sacked the plantation; General Zachary Taylor led the U.S. Army forces to gain control of it in 1838.

The area drew tourists in the 1880s, when it was touted as a fountain of youth and winter resort for the springs' alleged rejuvenating powers.

In 1982 the State of Florida acquired the land for use as a recreational area.

Flora and fauna

Ancient cypress and oak trees dominate the landscape in this part of Florida. Smaller plants in the area include the leatherleaf fern.

Park wildlife you might see includes alligators, white-tailed deer, turtles and otters. Among the birds that can be seen are anhingas, egrets, hawks, limpkins, ospreys, vultures, American Bald Eagles, American White Ibis, Belted Kingfishers and Great Blue Herons.

Seasonal sightings may include Florida black bears en route from the Ocala National Forest to the Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area, manatee seeking relief from the cold during winter and migratory birds such as the swallow-tailed kite, the sandhill crane and teal.

Get in

By car

The best way to get into DeLeon Springs is by car. Take Route US-17 north from DeLand for about 6 miles and you will be in the general area of DeLeon Springs. Turn left onto Ponce DeLeon Blvd. and you will travel approximately one mile to the entrance to DeLeon Springs State Park.

By bus

VOTRAN bus Route 24 passes by the DeLeon Springs area about every two hours. The bus only travels along Route US-17, connecting with DeLand to the south and Pierson to the north. However, you will be short of DeLeon Springs State Park by about 1 mile. You can bring a bicycle along on the VOTRAN bus to complete the journey if you wish to reach the Park.

Stay safe

Florida has a high occurrence of hurricanes. You might want to check the Hurricane safety page if you are visiting Florida. Beware of lightning in the central part of the state. Also, there is a high occurrence of tornadoes in Florida, so check the Tornado safety page.

Go next

• Ocala National Forest
• DeLand