Newport Spring
Wakulla County
| Summary of Features
Scale—2nd magnitude
Scenery—poor
How Pristine?—remnant of manmade pool around spring; land cleared near
spring, dam
Swimming—fair
Protection—little
Crowds—busy on warm weekends
Access—good
Facilities—none
Safety—fair-good
Scuba—no
Cost—free |
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View of east end and flowpoint at bottom of bridge
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Rope swing above spring
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Directions
From downtown Tallahassee, go south on Monroe Street which becomes
State Road 363 or Woodville Highway. Turn left on State Road 267. After
four miles, turn left on U.S. 98. Turn left on dirt road just at Outz's
Oyster Bar, just before the bridge over the St. Marks River. Spring is
at small bridge 0.9 miles north.
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
Newport Spring emanates from beneath the bridge and flows 0.3 miles
to the St. Marks River. The spring pool is formed by the remains of an
old wooden dam and flume and is approximately 40 by 100 feet. Water depth
is up to 5 feet. The water is clear and has a pronounced sulfurous
smell. A ramshackle house sits adjacent to the spring.
Use/Access
Used by local residents for swimming, wading, picnicking, and hanging
out. A live oak hangs a huge limb out over the boil, with a rope for swinging
out over the water. There is some trash in the water and on the banks.
Local Springiana
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Also known as Sulfur, or Brewer Sulfur Spring.
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The spring was once the site of a resort and spa. In its heyday, from the
mid-1800s to the beginning of the Great Depression, the site attracted
people in search of cure. The St. Marks-Tallahassee train ran from Tallahassee
to the Oil Station Depot, and from there passengers took a stagecoach or
wagon four miles to Newport. In addition to a hotel, the site had cabins
and a dance hall. Like White Springs, it and many other such spas were
a casualty of the Depression. The area along Old Plank Road was best by
highwaymen. After being cleared out by a vigilante group, the robbers returned
later and burned down warehouses on the site (Laufenberg, 1998). The railroad
itself is now a popular paved bike trail stretching 16 miles from south
Tallahassee to St. Marks. It was this railroad spur to Tallahassee that
northern troops were trying to capture when they were repelled in a Civil
War skirmish at nearby Natural Bridge. Remnants of the old pool are still
visible on the site.
Personal Impressions
While a pretty little spot, the spring has only a small area that might
be used for swimming and the land around it is has been clear-cut. The
odor of the sulfur in the water takes some getting used to. JF’s children
held their noses, complained loudly, and refused to get into the water
when they visited. The site is popular with locals, who give strangers
unfriendly looks. It is very difficult to conceive that this site was once
a toney spa.
Nearby Springs
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Indian Springs
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McBride Slough Spring
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Natural Bridge Spring
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Rhodes Springs
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St. Marks Spring
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Unnamed St. Marks Sulfur Springs #1-3
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Wakulla Springs
Other Nearby Natural Features
Wakulla Springs State Park
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
Apalachicola National Forest
Wacissa River/Slave Canal
Econfina River State Park
Leon County Sinks Park