ExploreSouthernHistory.com -Jackson County Florida's Blue Spring
Blue Spring
Blue Spring was described by
Spanish explorers who visited
what is now Jackson County,
Florida in 1693.
Blue Spring was described by
Spanish explorers who visited
what is now Jackson County,
Florida in 1693.
An Aerial View of Blue Spring
The spring feeds Merritt's Mill
Pond, popular for fishing and
boating.
The spring feeds Merritt's Mill
Pond, popular for fishing and
boating.
Confederate Camp
Blue Spring was the site of a
Confederate camp during the
Civil War. Troops from here
fought at Marianna in 1864.
Blue Spring was the site of a
Confederate camp during the
Civil War. Troops from here
fought at Marianna in 1864.
Blue Spring - Jackson County, Florida
| Blue Spring from the Air Blue Spring has was a landmark to Spanish missionaries when they first entered what is now Jackson County, Florida. |
A Landmark for Centuries
Located a few miles east of the city of
Marianna, historic Blue Spring is a treasured
Florida natural wonder.
Early Spanish explorers visited the spring
and called it by its Native American name,
"Calistoble." The meaning of the word is
unclear.
An account by Fray Rodrigo de la Barreda,
written in 1693, mentioned that the spring
was frequented by Native American hunters
who sheltered in the caves surrounding Blue
Spring. He also described seeing herds of
buffalo in the region and mentioned that the
Indians sailed in dugout canoes on the
stream flowing from the spring.
Fray Barreda had first visited the region in
1674, following an old trail that led past the
spring to the Natural Bridge of the Chipola
River. When he returned in 1693, he was part
of an expedition that completed the first
known overland crossing of Northwest
Florida by Spanish explorers.
Blue Spring was visited in 1818 by a U.S.
Army commanded by Major General Andrew
Jackson. His topographer identified it as "Big
Spring," the name by which it was known for
much of the 19th century.
Jackson's officers and men were so
impressed with the area that many returned
to settle in the years following the end of the
First Seminole War.
Major Jesse Robinson first claimed the land
around the spring and by the early 1820s it
was being called Robinson's Big Spring in
his honor. A large home was constructed on
the hill overlooking the spring and the
Robinson family developed a unique system
to carry freshwater up to the house, making it
one of the first home's in Jackson County to
boast running water.
By the time of the Civil War, a dam had been
constructed downstream from the spring to
power a water mill. Located about halfway
down today's Merritt's Mill Pond, this mill
operated through the rest of the 19th century.
By the time of the war, the "Big Spring" had
passed into the hands of John Milton.
Originally from Georgia, Milton had married
into the Robinson family. In 1860 he was
elected Governor of Florida and guided the
state through the turbulent years of the Civil
War.
Marianna, historic Blue Spring is a treasured
Florida natural wonder.
Early Spanish explorers visited the spring
and called it by its Native American name,
"Calistoble." The meaning of the word is
unclear.
An account by Fray Rodrigo de la Barreda,
written in 1693, mentioned that the spring
was frequented by Native American hunters
who sheltered in the caves surrounding Blue
Spring. He also described seeing herds of
buffalo in the region and mentioned that the
Indians sailed in dugout canoes on the
stream flowing from the spring.
Fray Barreda had first visited the region in
1674, following an old trail that led past the
spring to the Natural Bridge of the Chipola
River. When he returned in 1693, he was part
of an expedition that completed the first
known overland crossing of Northwest
Florida by Spanish explorers.
Blue Spring was visited in 1818 by a U.S.
Army commanded by Major General Andrew
Jackson. His topographer identified it as "Big
Spring," the name by which it was known for
much of the 19th century.
Jackson's officers and men were so
impressed with the area that many returned
to settle in the years following the end of the
First Seminole War.
Major Jesse Robinson first claimed the land
around the spring and by the early 1820s it
was being called Robinson's Big Spring in
his honor. A large home was constructed on
the hill overlooking the spring and the
Robinson family developed a unique system
to carry freshwater up to the house, making it
one of the first home's in Jackson County to
boast running water.
By the time of the Civil War, a dam had been
constructed downstream from the spring to
power a water mill. Located about halfway
down today's Merritt's Mill Pond, this mill
operated through the rest of the 19th century.
By the time of the war, the "Big Spring" had
passed into the hands of John Milton.
Originally from Georgia, Milton had married
into the Robinson family. In 1860 he was
elected Governor of Florida and guided the
state through the turbulent years of the Civil
War.
| Copyright 2008 by Dale Cox All rights reserved. |
Milton's plantation, Sylvania, was one of a
series of large agricultural operations
located in the area. These farms were a vital
source of provisions and other supplies for
the Confederacy.
As the danger of Union raids increased
following the withdrawal of most of the
regular Confederate forces from Florida in
1864, a military camp was established at
Blue Spring. Cavalry units based here
patrolled the surrounding area and guarded
against attacks by Union troops or organized
gangs of deserters.
Captain Robert Chisolm's company of
Alabama Militia cavalry was based here
during the summer of 1864. The unit was
among those that took part in the Battle of
Marianna on September 27, 1864.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries,
Blue Spring became an important resort.
Visitors came to Marianna by train and then
rode out to the spring in carriages to soak in
the mineral waters of the spring. It was
believed at the time that the water held
curative properties that could heal both
diseases and injuries of various sorts.
Today, Blue Spring is a popular recreation
area maintained by the Jackson County
Commission. Open during the summer
months, it offers swimming, picnicking and
other outdoor activities. The underwater
caves of the spring have been explored and
mapped to great depths and are reported to
be among the deepest in Florida.
series of large agricultural operations
located in the area. These farms were a vital
source of provisions and other supplies for
the Confederacy.
As the danger of Union raids increased
following the withdrawal of most of the
regular Confederate forces from Florida in
1864, a military camp was established at
Blue Spring. Cavalry units based here
patrolled the surrounding area and guarded
against attacks by Union troops or organized
gangs of deserters.
Captain Robert Chisolm's company of
Alabama Militia cavalry was based here
during the summer of 1864. The unit was
among those that took part in the Battle of
Marianna on September 27, 1864.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries,
Blue Spring became an important resort.
Visitors came to Marianna by train and then
rode out to the spring in carriages to soak in
the mineral waters of the spring. It was
believed at the time that the water held
curative properties that could heal both
diseases and injuries of various sorts.
Today, Blue Spring is a popular recreation
area maintained by the Jackson County
Commission. Open during the summer
months, it offers swimming, picnicking and
other outdoor activities. The underwater
caves of the spring have been explored and
mapped to great depths and are reported to
be among the deepest in Florida.
A Popular Recreation Area
The spring is now the focal
point of a popular swimming
area and park maintained by
the Jackson County
Commission.
The spring is now the focal
point of a popular swimming
area and park maintained by
the Jackson County
Commission.
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| Now Available! |
The History of
Jackson County, Florida:
Volume One
Jackson County, Florida:
Volume One
The latest book from writer
and historian Dale Cox is
now available for order.
and historian Dale Cox is
now available for order.
$25
Please allow 10-15 business days for
delivery.
delivery.