|
Native Americans visited and used these springs as long as 6,000 years ago. In
the early 1800s, settlers built sugar and cotton plantations that were sacked
by Seminole Indians during the Second Seminole War. By the 1880s the springs
had become a winter resort, and tourists were promised "a fountain of youth
impregnated with a deliciously healthy combination of soda and sulphur." The
swimming area is adjacent to a beautiful, shady picnic ground. Canoe, kayak
and paddleboat rentals are available for a paddling tour of the spring and
spring run. De Leon Springs flows into the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife
Refuge where canoeists and kayakers can explore 18,000 acres of lakes, creeks,
and marshes. At The Old Spanish Sugar Mill Restaurant, guests can make their
own pancakes at the table. Located at the corner of Ponce de Leon and Burt
Parks Road, west of U.S. 17.
For tourists in the 1880s, Florida was a
tropical frontier still rich in mystery and romance. At De Leon Springs, the
legends of early explorers were still potent - a 1889 advertisement promised a
fountain of youth :impregnated with a deliciously healthy combination of soda
and sulfur."
Whatever the purported health benefits, the springs were indeed a natural
wonder. De Leon Springs still is a place for healthful outdoor recreation in a
beautiful, natural setting.
Native Americans occupied the area periodically from as early as 8000 B.C. A
6,000-year-old dugout canoe, one of the oldest ever found in America, was
discovered here.
In the early 1500's,
Spanish forces, possibly led by Juan Ponce de Leon, may have passed through.
Florida belonged to Spain until 1763, then was ceded to England. Seminole
Indians began settling in the area. England gave this land to a company that
traded European goods for the Indians' furs and deerskins.
In 1783 Spain returned to power and granted this land for plantations. A long
line of planters cultivated cotton, corn and sugar cane on the plantation
known as Spring Garden.
In 1821 Florida became U.S. territory. In 1832 the American artist John James
Audubon visited Spring Garden, then owned by Col. Orlando Rees. Rees built a
waterwheel that harnessed the spring flow to grind his sugar cane.
The plantation was sacked during the Second Seminole War (1835 - 42). Gen.
Zachary Taylor, commander of the U.S. Army in Florida, retook the spring from
the Seminoles in 1838.
During the Civil War, the spring-powered mill was used to provide grain and
other stores for Confederate forces. Union troops eventually captured it and
most of the facilities were destroyed. A winter resort lured Northern tourists
during the late 19th century; and in 1982, the state of Florida acquired the
area for use as a recreation area.
A unique experience is found at the
Old Spanish
Sugar Mill and Griddle House located in the park. The specialty,
grill-your-own pancakes, are made from grain stone-ground on site with French
buhr millstones.
The Old Spanish Sugar Mill
is a unique restaurant located inside the
De Leon Springs State Park. Opened in 1961 by Peter and
Marjorie Schwarze, we have been serving in the same unusual style ever since.
 Each of our tables are equipped with a griddle and we bring
you pitchers of homemade pancake batters (both a stone ground mixture of five
different flours and an unbleached white) and you pour them on and flip them
over right at the table. You may order blueberries, bananas, peanut butter,
pecans, chocolate chips, apples or apple sauce to create whatever sort of
pancakes you choose. We have sausage, bacon, ham, eggs, homemade breads and an
assortment of other treats to accompany your pancakes.
Book This Tour Now!
Call 813-495-0454 |
|
|
 |
