White Springs has a very interesting history and it a still a very cool town. I want to thank Bruce, a local resident, for graciously sharing the town’s history with me. It really has stunning architecture and the people are very welcoming to tourists.
The Suwanee River was a dividing line for Apalachee and Timucuan Native Americans. They both visited the sulphur springs and thought they had healing powers.
The settlement was incorporated in 1831 as Jackson Springs. Besides the springs, the founders wanted to make a ferry across the river. Bryant Sheffield purchased the ferry operation rights a year after the founding. He promoted White Sulphur Springs and what he called the health benefits of the mineral waters. He built a hotel and a spring house. The town tourism industry grew until the Civil War. During the war, Confederate solders took refuge there while fleeing from Jacksonville and other places.
After the Civil War, businesses and hotels started growing, with customers coming mostly by rail. The town was incorporated as White Springs in 1885. In 1903, a Bathhouse was built, surrounding the White Springs, enclosing them with concrete and coquina walls. At its peak, the town had 14 to 17 hotels, depending on what source you look at.
Since the town’s heyday, it’s had its share of hard times. Even during the heyday, in 1911, a fire destroyed a lot of the town. There have been problems with the springs drying up and in the 1930’s, going to mineral springs went out of fashion. Then, over the years, new highways bypassed the town. And recessions took an additional toll.
In the 1950’s, the Stephen Foster Memorial Museum opened to commemorate songwriter Stephen Foster. Even though Foster didn’t know the actual Suwanee River but took its name to fit the song, the town has taken it to heart and for them, the song is about their river. And, it’s been the state song since 1935.
The town and state park are the site of the annual Florida Folk Festival. It is a the oldest continuous folk festival in the US started, in 1953. It lasts four days and celebrates Florida tradition, art, food and music.
Of course, talking with Bruce, who I met walking to the remnants of White Sulphur Springs, was the highlight of my mini road trip. The other highlight was seeing the Telford Hotel. The last remaining hotel from the town’s resort past. The building itself is beautiful. Famous guests have included Teddy Roosevelt, J.P. Morgan and John D. Rockefeller.
The recent past is interesting too. Chuck Harder bought the hotel and broadcast his radio show from there. He was one of the big talk radio hosts in the 90’s. He ran into some financial trouble later and health problems and lost that radio network.The hotel has since been operated as a bed and breakfast and a restaurant and bar. Currently it is vacant and for sale.
