Summary of Features
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Directions
From Orlando, go north on U.S. 17/92 for about 12 miles to intersection
with Highway 427. Turn right or NE onto 427 and proceed 1.2 miles. The
spring is 100 feet north (on the left side) of the highway in the side
yard of an abandoned house. The house is also almost directly across the
street from the Free Will Baptist Church.
For maps, latitude/longitude data, driving directions, satellite imagery, and topographic representations as well as weather conditions at this spring, go to Greg Johnson's informative "Florida Springs Database" web site at the following address: http://www.ThisWaytothe.Net/springs/floridasprings.htm#Florida
Spring Description
The spring site lies at the top of a wooded slope and no longer has
any visible flow. The spring is enclosed in a circular concrete structure
with a conical tin roof. The enclosure is about 10 feet in diameter
and 12 feet high and was in a condition of advanced disrepair and natural
reclamation on date of visit in June 2001. The yard around the spring
enclosure and the enclosure itself are covered in either kudzu or similar-looking
creeping vine. There does not appear to have been any flow from this
site for decades.
Use/Access
No use. The site is abandoned and overgrown with foliage to the point
that it was nearly invisible from the road only 100 feet away.
Local Springiana
According to Rosenau et al., water from this surficial/water-table
spring was bottled and sold for many years, beginning in 1900. The bottled
water was used for drinking and "as a substitute for distilled water in
batteries." The spring was still flowing in the 1970s and was used
by the residence for drinking and to fill a pool in the yard (1977, p.
336). There is no sign of a pool at the site today; it may be behind
the house in an area JF did not explore.
Personal Impressions
Even though the spring no longer flows, locating this overgrown site
was the find of the day for JF. Thousands of people drive by it every
day, it is likely that very few know that this interesting little piece
of Florida history lies within view under the vines, quietly giving way
to neglect and Mother Nature.
Nearby Springs
Wekiwa Springs, Rock Springs, Clifton Springs, Lake Jessup Spring,
Palm Spring, Sanlando Spring, Miami Spring, Starbuck Spring, Gemini Springs,
Seminole Spring, Green Spring, Health Spring, Volusia Blue Spring
Other Nearby Natural Features
Blue Springs State Park
Hontoon Island State Park
Wekiwa Springs State Park
Ocala National Forest
Tosohatchee State Reserve