Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, White Springs, FL January 20-24, 2016 (Manatee Springs and Paynes Prairie, January 24-30)

Telford Hotel

Stephen Foster is such a pretty place and we haven't spent much time exploring the park or the area, so we're happy to be here again. This time, we stopped at the old Telford Hotel, built in 1902, and the only hotel left from the heyday of White Springs. (Florida has over 600 springs – more than any other region in the world.) Even before the 1800's though, White Sulphur Springs was well known by the Native Americans – in fact, it was considered a sacred healing place and so important that even warring tribes put aside their diffences to drink and bathe in the mineral waters without fear of attack. In 1835, Bryant and Elizabeth Sheffield discovered the springs after they purchased the property.

About the springs

Apparently Mr. Sheffield had some health problems, and after drinking from the springs he began to see improvement. News like that gets around quickly and as people began to travel there to visit the springs, Mr. Sheffield built a log hotel and bathhouse around the spring. Florida's first tourist destination was born!

Droves of people appeared, searching for cures for all sorts of ailments and by the late 1900's, there were 14 luxury hotels in town and boarding houses galore. In 1908, the original log bath house was replaced by a four-tiered building and gated concrete and coquina wall, which still stands. The building boasted dressing rooms, restrooms, a concession

Springs building

area, and a clinic. By the 1930's, mineral springs fell out of favor and the town began to die.

Nowdays, it seems that the biggest draw is Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center. It's no wonder, really, since there are so many things to see and do: the memorial carillon, a museum, visitor center, and several small buildings that house craft demonstrations throughout the year.

The 97-bell carillon, installed in 1958, is housed in a 200 foot half-

Inside the springs building

million dollar tower and many of Stephen Foster's more than 200 compositions are played on it. The bells strike on the quarter hour and at the top of the hour, several compositions are played on the bells as well. There is a pamphlet that tells how the carillon was chosen and about the tower that is fascinating.

Near Stephen Foster is a popular spot for hiking and kayaking – Big Shoals, which has 80 foot high limestone cliffs overlooking the largest white water rapids in Florida.

River outside the springs

In spite of having spent most of my life in Florida, I'm constantly amazed about all the new, interesting places we are finding now that we are living on the road.

From here, we go to Manatee Springs and back to Paynes Prairie, but we didn't take any photos nor did I do much at Manatee Springs besides curse my new computer as I was getting it loaded and on line. At Paynes Prairie, we again spent time at the house and from there we head to Rodman Dam – another state park which was originally a corps park.