 |
|
[Events] [Local News Sources] [Maps] Wakulla County HistoryThe ancient lands to be later called Wakulla County was home to Upper Paleolithic - Paleoindians over 12,000 years ago and were descendants of people who crossed into North America from eastern Asia during the Pleistocene epoch. Clovis spear points have been found at Wakulla Springs and would have been used in the hunting of Mastadon, Columbian Mammoth, Equus (prehistoric horses), Camelops (ice age camel), and other fauna. The spears would have also helped these ancient people defend themselves from Ice Age lions, Short-faced bear, and Saber-toothed tiger. Spanish rule In 1528, Panfilo de Narvaez found his way to what would be Wakulla County from Tampa, Florida camping at the confluence of the Wakulla River and St. Marks River. Narvaez would find this a very suitable spot for a fort. In 1539, Hernando de Soto followed with his soldiers establishing San Marcos de Apalache. Early 19th century The area to become Wakulla County was an active place in the early 1800s. A former British officer named William Augustus Bowles attempted to unify and lead 400 Creek indians against the Spanish outpost of San Marcos capturing it. This provoked Spain and a Spanish flotilla arrived some 5 weeks later and assumed control of San Marcos. In 1818, General Andrew Jackson invaded the territory (Wakulla) taking control of San Marcos. Two captured British citizens, Robert Ambrister and Alexander Arbuthnot, were tried and found guilty of inciting Indian raids and executed causing a diplomatic nightmare between the United States and England. In 1821, Florida was ceded to the United States and the San Marcos was occupied by U.S. troops. In 1824, the fort was abandoned and turned over to the Territory of Florida. By 1839, the fort was returned to the U.S. and a federal marine hospital was built. The hospital provided care for victims of yellow fever in the area. Forts of Wakulla County * 1840 - Camp Lawson, northwest of Wakulla and northeast of Ivan, on the St. Marks River. A log stockade also known as Fort Lawson. * 1841-1842 - Fort Many located near Wakulla Springs. * 1839 - Fort Number Five (M) located near Sopchoppy. * 1839-1843 - Fort Stansbury was located on the Wakulla River 9 miles from St. Marks. * 1841-1843 - Fort Port Leon. Abandoned after a hurricane destroyed it. Site was later used for a CSA gun battery. * 1839 - James Island Post located on James Island. Antebellum Wakulla Wakulla County was created in 1843. It may (although this is disputed) be named for the Timucuan Indian word for "spring of water" or "mysterious water." This is in reference to Wakulla County's greatest natural attraction, Wakulla Springs, which is one of the world's largest freshwater springs, both in terms of depth and water flow. In 1974, the water flow was measured at 1.23 billion gallons per day the greatest recorded flow ever for a single spring. In an 1856 book, adventurer Charles Lanman wrote of the springs: "An adequate idea of this mammoth spring could never be given by pen or pencil; but when once seen, on a bright calm day, it must ever after be a thing to dream about and love. It is the fountain-head of a river... and is of sufficient volume to float a steamboat, if such an affair had yet dared to penetrate this solemn wilderness... It wells up in the very heart of a dense cypress swamp, is nearly round in shape, measures some four hundred feet in diameter, and is in depth about one hundred and fifty feet, having at its bottom an immense horizontal chasm, with a dark portal, from one side of which looms up a limestone cliff, the summit of which is itself nearly fifty feet beneath the spectator, who gazes upon it from the sides of a tiny boat. The water is so astonishlingly clear that even a pin can be seen on the bottom in the deepest places, and of course every animate and inanimate object which it contains is fully exposed to view. The apparent color of the water from the shore is greenish, but as you look prependicularly into it, it is colorless as air, and the sensation of floating upon it is that of being suspended in a balloon; and the water is so refractive, that when the sun shines brilliantly every object you see is enveloped in the most fascinating prismatic hues." Another possibile origin for the name Wakulla, not as widely accepted, is that it means "mist" or "misting", perhaps in reference to the Wakulla Volcano, a 19th century phenomenon in which a column of smoke could be seen emerging from the swamp for miles. Civil War During the Civil War, Wakulla County was partly involved. From 1861-1865 a Union squadron blockaded the mouth of the St. Marks River. Confederates took the old Spanish fort site known as San Marcos de Apalache and renamed it Fort Ward. The Battle of Natural Bridge eventually stopped the Union force that intended to take Fort Ward. Adjacent counties * Leon County, Florida - north * Jefferson County, Florida - east * Franklin County, Florida - southwest * Liberty County, Florida - west Government websites for Wakulla County
Special districtsJudicial branch
Wakulla County Events:2007 Florida Festivals02-08, Palatka, FL, Palatka Bluegrass Festival, Three day event on the banks of the St John River. , 706-864-7203 02-09, Fort Myers, FL, Florida Wildlife Art Show, Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium Friday and Saturday, 610-896-4776 02-10, Davie/Fort Lauderdale, FL, Flamingo Gardens Benefit Flea Market, Benefit Flea Market at Flamingo Gardens from 9am to 2pm, 954-473-2955 02-10, Land O Lakes, FL, Wine Festival, Live music, arts and crafts, food, 813-996-2113 02-10, Miami Beach, FL, Miami Beach Festival of the Arts, Free event features arts, crafts, music, theatre, food, kids activities and more., 305-865-4147 02-10, Stuart, FL, SailFish Arts, Artist Registry Show, Street Artists Show, Concerts, Children's Area, Community Organizations, 772-287-6676 02-17, Punta Gorda, FL, Punta Gorda Arts & Craft Festival, Annual downtown arts and crafts festival in Gilchrist Park along the Peace River, 239-530-8072 02-17, St. Petersburg, FL, Wine Festival, Wine Festival with vendors, live music and wine tastings, 813-526-2113 02-17, Punta Gorda, FL, Punta Gorda Arts & Crafts Festival, Located in beautiful Gilchrist Park in historic downtown along the Peace River, 239-530-8072 02-23, North Miami Beach, FL, Everglades Bluegrass Festival, Festival Under the Old Oak Trees - 305-358-1800 for more details., 305-358-1800 02-24, Orlando, FL, Orlando Downtown Art & Living Expo, Live music, great food and more than 100 Art and Downtown exhibitors will all be showcased during the s, 407-210-3970 02-24, Orlando, FL, Repticon, Reptile show at Central Florida Fairgrounds, 4603 W. Colonial Dr. 10 am - 4 pm. , 407-230-7217 02-24, Cape Coral, FL, 3rd Annual Irish Festival, Best Irish Entertainment in SWFla includingStep Dancers & Bagpipers. Corned Beef, cabbage, & Irish beer, 239-540-2161 02-25, Hollywood, FL, Cool Rhythms Sunday, Popular Ongoing Music Festival on Hollywood Beach. Arts & Crafts, Small Business Vendor Space available., 954-822-1703 02-28, Zolfo Springs, FL, Pioneer Park Days, over 400 exhibits of antique tractors, steam engines and farm equipment. 491 flea market vendors, 863-773-2161 03-02, Ft Lauderdale, FL, Riverwalk Blues Festival, 20th Anniversary of the Riverwalk Blues and Music Festival located in downtown Ft Lauderdale, 954-449-1028 03-02, Orlando, FL, ESPN the Weekend, Live telecasts, interactive sports experiences, motorcades, ESPN talent and celebrities!, 407-566-6357 03-03, Leesburg, FL, 30th Leesburg Fine Arts Festival, 140 Artists accepted, $3000 best of show, , 352-365-0232 03-03, Ponce De Leon, FL, Tri-County Music Festival, There will be eight local bands performing from10am til 10pm along with a car and a bike show , 850-956-2985 03-09, Amelia Island, FL, Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, The Legends of Road Racing, 904-261-3248 03-09, St. Augustine, FL, Lions Seafood Festival, Quality Seafood, Bluegrass and Country music, Arts & Crafts Show.Contests and prizes. Parking Garage , 904-829-1753 03-10, Tampa, FL, WEDU Marche de Rue, Outdoor art, home and garden European-style street market in historic Hyde Park Village., 813-254-9338 03-10, Marathon, FL, Original Marathon Seafood Festival, Located in the beautiful Florida Keys, this annual event will be celebrating it's 35th year in existence., 305-743-5417 03-10, Saint James City, FL, Pine Island Breast Cancer Benefit, 5K walk and live concert to benefit Breast Cancer Charities on Pine Island, Florida, 239-281-8654 03-10, Arcadia, FL, Arcadia Arts and Crafts Festival, Arts & Crafts Festival 10a-4p in McSwain Park. Handmade goods - painting, woodcarving, jewely, metal art , 863-494-4033 03-16, Ocala, FL, Sleeping with the Trees, An evening with exciting & fun activities no camping experience needed, 352-401-3900 03-17, Lake Park, FL, Kelsey Irish Fest, Family Irish Fest - Free Admission, Free Rides, Irish Music & Fun! - 4pm - 10pm, 561-881-3338 03-17, Belle Glade, FL, Glades Festival of Afro Arts, Come and enjoy ethnic cuisines of the Glades area, we also have games set up for kids to enjoy!, 561-924-5126 03-17, Estero, FL, Estero Arts & Crafts Festival, Located on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University in an around the student union building., 239-530-8072 03-24, Longboat Key, FL, Longboat Key FineArts&CraftsFestival, A festival of fine arts and crafts with music, food, beverages, art demonstrations and children’s events, 941-383-2345 03-24, Davie/Fort Lauderdale, FL, Flamingo Gardens Annual Spring Garden Event, Everything for your yard and patio. 9:30-4:30, $10 over age 11, $5 children (4-11), 954-473-2955 03-24, Miami Gardens, FL, Jazz in the Gardens, 2nd Annual Jazz In The Gardens With India Arie, Boney James, Wil Downing, Paquito D’Rivera & Luciano, 305-576-3790 03-24, Naples, FL, Naples Arts & Crafts Festival, Located at Gulf View Middle School in the prestigious, affluent community of historic old Naples, 239-530-8072 03-24, Largo, FL, Largo Central Park Artists' Market, 2-day outdoor fine art festival in beautiful 12 acre city park. Expect 5000 to 8000, 727-595-5311 03-25, Melbourne, FL, Chocolate Festival, Lots of Chocolate samples!, food & beverages, art & Music -one low ticket price $20 per person., 321-432-7095 03-29, Jacksonville, FL, World of Nations Celebration, Journey with us as we celebrate rich cultural traditions and unique heritage of from around the world! , 904-630-3690 03-30, DeLand, FL, West Volusia Wildflowers Festival, Plant sale, workshops, field trips, art, food, entertainment, conservation info, kids winning art display, 800-749-4350 03-30, Moore Haven, FL, Big ' O' Birding Festival, An annual birding festival including tours, presentations, arts&crafts, and kids events on Friday., 863-946-0300 03-30, Coral Gables, FL, Coral Gables Arts & Crafts Festival, Located in Merrick Park in the beautiful, affluent Coral Gables just south of Miami, 239-530-8072 04-05, Orlando, FL, Epcot Inter. Flower&Garden Festival, Blooming flowers and topiaries, horticulturists demonstrations and the Flower Power Concert Series!, 407-566-6357 04-07, Davie/Fort Lauderdale, FL, Meet the Bunny, Flamingo Gardens, 3750 S Flamingo, Bring your your camera, 10-2, $10 over age 12, $5 children (4-11)., 954-473-2955 04-12, St. Augustine, FL, First Coast Birding and Nature Fest, Photography workshops presented by leading experts taking place during spring migration., 800-418-7529 04-13, Ocala, FL, Ocala Storytelling Festival, Storytellers Randel McGee, Bil Lett and many others, workshop, Tiny Tots Tales, and a Liar's Contest, 352-821-0298 04-13, Brooksville, FL, Stringbreak Music Festival, A fun filled weekend for the entire family!, 863-984-8445 04-13, Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Continue the tradition of Jazz in Jacksonville with a variety of jazz genres, , 904-630-3690 04-14, Tampa, FL, Tampa-Hillsborough Co. Storytelling, The 27th Annual Festival will feature internationally reknown teller, Donald Davis, & 500 youth tellers. , 813-931-2106 04-21, Cedar Key, FL, Celebration of the Arts/Cedar Key, 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM each day. Booths of fine arts and crafts line both sides of Cedar Key's main street, 352-543-5400 04-21, Starke, FL, Bradford County Strawberry Festival, Do you like fresh local strawberries, entertainment, arts and crafts? You need to come to the festival., 904-964-5278 04-21, Cedar Key, FL, Old Florida Celebration of the Arts, Juried Fine Art Festival with 150 Premium Booth spaces along Historic Downtown 2nd Street., 352-543-5400 04-21, Cape Coral, FL, SW FL Nautical Flea Mrkt & Boat Show, All Nautical Theme Show: fishing tackle, crafts, clothes, boats, food, prizes, free parking & admittance, 239-850-6467 04-28, Apopka, FL, Apopka Art and Foliage Festival, 46th Annual Apopka and Foliage festival featuring Art/craft, plants/flowers, local food, 407-884-6488 04-28, Ocala, FL, Arbor Day Festival, Celebrate Arbor Day with activities for all ages 10 am - 3 pm. Crafts, music, vendors and more., 352-401-3900 05-04, Dunnellon, FL, Cool Springs Ranch Balloon Classic, Our 2006 Ballonon classic was a great success.. we had 32 Hot air Balloons and 70 very happy vendors. , 352-382-1631 05-04, Ocala, FL, A Cultural Art Festival, A Cultural Art Festival featuring African/ African American Artwork, crafts, food vendors and Latin, 352-351-4732 05-04, Jacksonville, FL, Sail Jacksonville, Jacksonville’s downtown riverfront comes alive with the beauty of tall ships from around the world. , 904-630-3690 05-04, Dunnellon, FL, Dunnellons Cool Springs Balloon Clas, Hot air balloons, Hunter Jumpers, crafts, Food and entertainment, celtics, bag pipes, Muscle/antiquecars, 352-274-8467 05-05, Ruskin, FL, Ruskin Tomato and Heritage Festival, A celebration of our agricultural heritage; , 813-935-4996 05-05, Jacksonville, FL, Springfield Heritage Pageant, Step back in time to 1880-1920: a living history event in Springfield, Jacksonville's 1st neighborhood., 904-353-7727 05-06, Indian Harbour Beach, FL, Turtle Splash & Family Bash!, It's our 3rd annual FUNdraiser!, 321-726-6700 05-11, Port Orange, FL, Port Orange Arts & Crafts Show, Arts & Cratfs show., 386-756-8700 05-12, New Port Richey, FL, Cotee River Seafood Festival, Seafood Festival Boat Show and Blues Concert in a city park by the river , 727-842-8066 05-19, St. Augustine, FL, Riding Into History 2007, Premier motorcycle Concours d’Elegance, Between 300 and 400 antique, vintage and classic motorcycles, 904-730-9719 05-25, Zellwood, FL, Zellwood Sweet Corn Festival, 34th Annual Festival, Fun, Arts & Crafts, Antique Tractors, Great entertainment, Mid way for the Kids, 407-886-0014 05-30, Yulee, FL, Yulee Railroad Days, Annual festival in towns along the route of the historic cross-state Florida Railroad of 1861, 352-495-1044 06-01, Melrose, FL, Melrose Connection: Yulee RR Days, Food music arts&crafts museum tours clowns facepainting RRdisplays HistoricBuildings ArtGalleries, 352-475-9500 06-02, Orlando, FL, Orlando Home & Outdoor Living Show, Home and Outdoor Living products and services, 877-778-3976 07-04, Davie/Fort Lauderdale, FL, 4th of July Bazaar, crafts, antiques, jewelry, art, photography and gifts, 954-473-2955 09-03, Davie/Fort Lauderdale, FL, Season Preview Event, Season Preview features reptiles, crafts, jewelry, art, photography, gifts and plants at Flamingo Gardens, 954-473-2955 10-20, Kissimmee, FL, McDonald's Big Bass Splash, 1st Annual Amateur Bass Tournament. Guaranteed payback of $75,000. Hourly Cash Awards & Overall Prizes, 409-698-2591 10-27, Davie/Fort Lauderdale, FL, Halloween Haven & Haunted House, Costume parade 11:30, Good Witch noon, Haunted House for younger children, 954-473-2955 12-01, Gainesville, FL, Craft Festival 2007, Largest indoor craft festival in North Central Florida held on the University of Florida campus., 352-392-7238 12-01, Gainesville, FL, Craft Festival 2007, North Central Florida's largest indoor craft festival, located on the University of Florida campus., 352-392-7238 Wakulla County News SourcesWakulla County NewsWakulla County MapsDirections:Enter your address, city, or zip to find directions.This will also tell you how far the drive is. Or simply enter the city, county, or zip in the 'to' form to see a map of that area.  |