On this adventure I hiked out to an old silo deep in Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve. Initially that was the plan but on the way there I came across an old fish hatchery. It has clearly been abandoned for sometime and I found some paperwork from 1991 laying on the floor indicating that they raised Triploid Grass Carp here. That particular carp was genetically altered so it could not reproduce. It is an asian exotic imported because it eats aquatic plants. They are released to control aquatic plants in lakes and rivers.
Abandoned Fish Hatchery
After exploring around at the hatchery I continued on towards the silo. I remember seeing it towering above the trees on the side of the forest road I was walking down to get to it. I had to find a way back there it appeared to be very old. Most of the surrounding area is overgrown so I had to bushwhack my way back to it.
As I approached the silo I passed by an old cattle feeder, this area was part of a farm or ranch at one time I think. The silo had panels missing at the bottom so I was able to go inside and check it out. That was a really neat experience I've never been inside a farm silo much less find an abandoned one in the woods. You could still see the shaft with a ladder inside but I did not attempt to climb it as it isn't very safe to do so. I spent a good amount of time out here imagining what it must have been like all those years ago. I can't say for sure but I think the silo could be dated somewhere between 1930's-1950's but as I said I really don't know. I am hoping to learn more about this area that is for sure.
Old Farm Silo
I decided to head back towards the trailhead but found another interesting area that appeared to be an old cattle processing site. I could see fence posts piled up and even some bricks and concrete blocks. I also saw a cattle ramp and a piece of farm old farm equipment.
When you think of Ichetucknee Springs State Park you may envision the beautiful springs there. But at the North Entrance of the park there are some neat historical trails you can explore. There are three different hiking trails. Blue Hole Trail: A half-mile walk through the Ichetucknee forest and cypress flood plain leads to Blue Hole Spring, the largest spring in the park. Trestle Point Trail: This shaded path winds along the crystal clear waters of the Ichetucknee River. The self-guided trail will take you back in time to the early 1900s, when phosphate ore was mined in the area. Pine Ridge Trail: A frequently overlooked area of the park is the majestic sandhill, with its towering longleaf pine and wide open vistas. View the natural diversity of this unique and vanishing ecosystem.
I particularly enjoyed the Trestle Point trail because of it's history. In the early 1900's they mined for phosphate in this area and you can still see evidence from that period as you walk along the old tram roads which are now part of the nature trail. I found large pits and even an old dragline shovel along the trail. I followed the trails towards the river and found the site where a small trestle used to cross. The phosphate would be hauled out of the mines across the river over the trestle. Here is some history I found on the area from the park website. "Phosphate mining in the park covered two major periods. Exploration mining began prior to the turn of the 20th century, consisting of mule and wheelbarrow-assisted excavation in nearby sinkholes and depressions. Later, the mine used boilers, pumps and steam shovels for ore extraction. A series of narrow-gauge railroads were installed to cart the ore out to local railroad lines. This early phase of mining was never as intrusive as our present-day methods, but many pits were left in the park and are still present today, especially around the Head Spring area. Another relic of the phosphate era is the series of 'tram beds' crisscrossing the park, left behind from the railroad conveyances."
If you plan on visiting the springs at the North entrance don't forget to check out these beautiful and historical trails!
In the Withlacoochee State Forest is the site of an old town called "Oriole". It was a small town with a population of around 100 people or so that was established in the early 1880's. The town only lasted until the late 1800's though. I have been exploring where the old town used to be and the surrounding areas. Some evidence can still be found if you look hard enough.
On a recent hike out there I found what looks to be an old mine way back in the woods. I managed to find an old tram road where you can see the areas dug up. These are known as the Oriole Mines and were managed by the Oriole Mining Company. I believe they would mine phosphate back here up until around 1915. Initially I set out not knowing what I would find. Little did I know I would discover yet another connection to history on this old town.
Florida has many abandoned railway tracks in the Suwannee River Valley. In the early 1900s freight and passenger steamships were replaced by trains that carried crops and timber and also made passenger stops in small towns such as Chiefland, Cross City, and Trenton. The Nature Coast Trail follows this historic route which is part of the old railroad.
I wanted to see what remains I could find from this railway. So I followed a trail back to the Steinhatchee River north of Cross City. It is known as the Steinhatchee Conservation Area. This trail lead me to an abandoned railroad trestle dating back to the early 1900's. I traced the railroad line here on maps and it eventually connects into the Nature Coast Trail.
Abandoned Railroad Trestle Over Steinhatchee River
I went out exploring in the Withlacoochee State Forest and found an old ghost town called "Etna". It was a turpentine camp from 1898 to 1915 and has long since vanished. When I arrived at the site the area was heavily wooded.
I explored around the site extensively finding scattered remains all around. Some bricks, herty cups and other evidence from turpentine activity. During it's peak the town had 50 buildings though on this visit I didn't see any remains of buildings but saw a lot of blocks.
I learned that the site was initially discovered back in the early 90's when they surveyed the area for a pipeline. Many of the local historians didn't know of the site either at the time of it's discovery. Now that the site is known we now have a window into the past.
In Northern Florida along the Suwannee River is an area known as Suwannee Springs. You can visit the area and see the ruins from the old Suwannee Springs resort that was built in the late 1800's. One of the things I saw was the spring water well that the guests used. Back then it was in the center of the resort but today it's in the middle of a wooded area behind the spring where the water was pumped from. I saw old piping coming out of the ground near the well, part an old storage tank and another pit.
As I explored around the woods here I was taken back to a time to a busy resort where people traveled from all around the world to visit. Part of that experience comes from being able to still see remains throughout the area as you venture around. Below I posted a video and helpful links for this place.
This is an interesting place to explore in the Green Swamp with lots of history. I've been covering various areas here to see what I can discover. On this adventure I hiked a forest road known as Cumpressco in the East Tract. This used to be an old railroad that went through the old town of Cumpressco. It's long gone and the town site is somewhere along this area. The dirt road goes on for miles so I hiked it from the trailhead several miles out and along the way I found railroad spikes embedded into the ground, a giant piece of steel by an area that I think used to be a stop along the railroad. Further down the same dirt road in the woods I found a few small abandoned cabins and I am not sure what they were used for or how old they are. I headed back to the trailhead once I was done checking out the cabins. It was a long walk back along the same dirt road I came in on. Surprisingly I found an old abandoned truck that I missed on the way in. It was in brush and I walked back to check it out. I also saw a lot of wildlife on this hike and that always adds to the experience! I got to see a lot of alligators big ones and baby ones along the swamp. I saw a few deer, a couple of owls in the trees high above and even a bobcat. Each time I go this area to explore I come away with something different each time. It's history and beautiful wilderness always draw me back. I posted some photos and videos I did below along with some helpful links to help you find out more about this place. If you have any questions or some insights on this place please feel free to comment to below. My Videos
I've always enjoyed hiking in The Green Swamp not only is it a big place to explore but their is a lot that can be found.
On this particular adventure I came across a couple of old abandoned trucks. They were rusting away in the woods off some forest roads. I couldn't make out how old or what kind of trucks they were. One of them was just about all stripped away and the other was more intact but seems to be a popular shooting target for hunters. I posted some photos here and my videos below. Get out there and explore the swamp!
I had been exploring in a part of the Seminole State Forest where I found this abandoned farmstead area. It seems the place is used more for hunting but I found it is really nice to walk the trails and roam around the place. I just made sure to check that hunting season wasn't going on at the time. I walked through old pastures and pine flatwoods with not a soul around...
Vacant Barn
I hiked back to an area where I found a couple pole barns and a vacant wooden house. Upon entering the area I was a little nervous because I wasn't sure who could be back there. My research indicated that the place should be abandoned and was on wildlife management land but you never know. I entered into a big pasture area where you could see the barns and house in the distance. I scoped it out with my binoculars and saw that it was clearly empty except for a bunch of cows up by the treeline. The area is nice and open surrounded by forests. I thought to myself how nice it must have been to live out here!
Vacant Barn
I first approached the house and began hearing booming sounds coming from inside which spooked me some. Just as I turned off my video camera to go inspect it I saw three baby cows run out of the house! I continued filming and photographing the surrounding area and buildings. There was nothing in the house really just debris from what I could see. It had one bathroom, one bedroom, front room and enclosed porch. Across the way were a couple empty barns and more cows. You could see old telephone poles with ripped out wiring where the place once had power.
The place is vast and you can find all sorts of neat stuff out here in this wilderness! I posted some of my videos and helpful links below.
Recently I explored some of Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area. You can roam many miles of trails and see all kinds of neat sites there. One of the most interesting things I saw was an old "Harvester Metro Van" rusting away in the woods. I am not positive if it is that kind of van but looks like it based on other pictures I've seen. It must have been abandoned sometime ago, my best guess is it could be from the 1940's or so but am unsure.
Old Harvester Metro Van
When I found the van I looked around the area and wondered how could this get here out in the middle of the woods? Who drove it and what's the story behind it? I had walked in on an old road by this old ranch site called "Taylor Creek Ranch". The ranch was here going back to at least the 1940's and maybe the van was left there from that time to rust away in the woods. I am unclear but it's mysteries like these that inspire me to learn more about these places.
Taylor Creek Ranch Remains
I posted a couple of my videos
below and a some very informative websites on this place that were very helpful for me when exploring this place. I ask that if you find sites like these that you please leave things as you see them. I find it just as rewarding to take photos and videos rather than artifacts. I always keep in mind that once things like this are gone, they are gone forever. I was very happy to see what was left of this old van in the woods...
In the Withlacoochee State Forest near the River Trail area at Ridge Manor I found this old windmill. It was in an old pasture that runs by the Windmill Loop trail. Now I know where that trail got got it's name...
Old Pioneer Windmill
This windmill could be from the early settlement once in this area called "Oriole" which was nearby the old town of "Croom" Both were pioneer towns in the mid to late 1800's up until the early 1900's before vanishing. These areas now located in the Withlacoochee State Forest contain some remains leftover from those places.
This windmill seems to be sitting in what used to be a pasture, I saw old fence posts surrounding the area along with fallen remains from the windmill scattered about. You could spend a lot of time searching back here and who knows what you could find. It is finding things like this that will inspire you to learn about the history of these places and it adds another layer of adventure to your hikes! Comment if you would like to find out more.
On a recent hike in Half Moon Wildlife Management Area in Sumter County I found some very old graves back in the forest. It was quite the adventure finding them since I was unsure of the exact location. It took a lot of walking on trails and forest roads to finally reach the site. It is called "Alto Cemetery" Alto is one of the many communities that no longer exists in Sumter County. Located north of Rutland and west of Oxford near the Withlacoochee River, all that is left is a cemetery. It is believed that the community was settled around the 1870's.
Alto Cemetery
Along the way I found some interesting areas and saw a beautiful wilderness. Just off a forest road back there is the old site of the "McKinney Flatwoods" homestead. There is a sign nearby that tells about this history and who once lived there. Not much remains of the homestead just some debris laying about. Although it is still fascinating to look around and experience the history, I imagined what life what must have been like for the family. The family lived there from around 1916 to 1945 time frame. The McKinneys raised cattle until the combined effects of screw worms and World War II forced them to sell the land for watermelon and sod production.
McKinneys Homestead Site
The Carltons acquired the land in 1969 for cattle ranching; they used existing fields and converted sections of palmetto scrub to improved pasture. A hunting club also leased the area from the early 1980s until the state purchased the Carlton Half Moon Ranch in 1989 in an effort to help preserve the water quality of Withlacoochee and its tributaries. In May 1992, the then-Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission entered a lease agreement with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and an additional 4,021 acres were added to the management area. I really enjoyed exploring this area I feel there is much left to discover so I look forward to returning. I posted a couple links below to help you find out more on this area. Be sure to check out my videos below as well from the some of the places I saw there. If you have any questions or would like to leave more information feel free to leave a comment. Resources Half Moon WMA Half Moon-Gum Slough SWFMD My Hike/Route
One of my more memorable hikes was in the Ocala National Forest near Lake Delancy just north of the campground area is a short but neat historical trail known as Davenport Landing Historical Trail. It is several miles back off of Forest Road 74 from the main road S.R. 19. From the parking area you can access the trail and it leads to a former 19th century steamboat port, where riverboats headed up to Silver Springs would stop for fuel and supplies. Along the way, you'll learn about middens along the Ocklawaha River and encounter a Civil War-era gravesite if you look hard enough.
Ancient Indian Mound
The landing area contains an ancient mound site that is said to be dated from 500 to 1200 years old. Though humans have been present along the Ocklawaha River going back 12,000 years. The mound has a fence around it and it is meant for observation only. You'll notice the informative kiosks where you can read about some of the history. The mound was first excavated by Clarence B. Moore in 1894. He was an American archaeologist and writer. He is more commonly known as C.B. Moore. He studied and excavated Native American sites in the southeastern United States.
Informative Kiosk
Thomas Cassidy Fillyaw lived from 1830 - 1873 and is buried on the banks of the Ocklawaha River he was the Landing Master. He was a confederate soldier who survived the war and you'll find a lot of history on him and the landing at the kiosk.
This is one of my favorite areas to see because of the scenic wilderness and the rich history. Nearby is The Florida Trail and Lake Delancy. I also saw lots of wildlife while hiking in the area including a couple Florida Black Bears. Lots to see and learn about when you visit here! I posted some links and videos below if you have any questions or input on this place feel free to leave a comment.
Deep within Goethe State Forest in Levy County there is an ancient giant cypress tree. It is known as the Goethe Giant and it is 9 ft in diameter, 105 feet tall, and 342 inches in circumference. This amazing tree is located off of the Big Cypress Boardwalk Trail.
Trailhead Area
Boardwalk Trail
To find the trail, follow SR 121 east from US 19 or west from CR 336 and look for Cow Creek Road, a dirt road leading north from the pavement at the forest’s western edge. It’s in great shape for passenger vehicles. At the first fork, stay right. Drive 3.2 miles north on the dirt road to the parking area on the left. You'll see a trailhead with a sign that says Big Cypress Trail, a kiosk and picnic table. The trail is really shaded and is very lush and green. The trail is short only about a quarter mile or so and you will eventually come upon a boardwalk that was made from the trees harvested in this forest. Follow this boardwalk to the end and you will encounter this giant cypress.
The tree is massive and there are similar large trees nearby in this forest but this one is the highlight. I took some time here to reflect upon the history and imagined the countless others that passed by and touched it over the centuries. I hope it will be here for many years to come for others to see and experience. Stand at the base of it and look straight up you will be amazed!
Goethe State Forest was named for J.T. Goethe from whom most of the land was purchased under Florida’s Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) Program in 1992. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, much of the original old-growth pine and cypress was harvested. Railroads were built by lumber companies to haul out the timber and evidence of raised railroad beds can still be seen in Goethe’s flatwoods. The remaining residual timber was allowed to grow and some interplantings were conducted during the years under J.T. Goethe’s ownership. Although most of the old growth timber was harvested, small areas of longleaf pine still remain in the forest with some trees reaching over 200 years of age. The giant cypress tree here was left alone by the logging companies because it had defects and was not suitable for harvesting. Well that is good news because today we can still enjoy this rare beauty. Many trees this old around the state have either been destroyed or have been harvested. I posted the coordinates, a link to my hike that I tracked and videos below as well. Enjoy!
