White Springs, FL

White Springs is a town in Hamilton County and is located on the Suwannee River.  The population is 828 with a median income of $24,900 and a median age of 32.  The Suwannee river was once the boundry between the Timucuan Tribe to the east and the Apalachee Tribe to the west.  When the Spanish explorers visited this area around 1530 a few stayed behind and lived here but it was not until 1835 when land was purchased by Bryant and Elizabeth Sheffield in land parcels for a Cotton Plantation.  Bryant Sheffield started sampling the local waters and started claims that the waters could cure rheumatism, kidney troubles and nervousness.  Due to White Sulphur Springs in the 19th century this area became Florida's first tourist destination.  Crowds of health seekers would come by stagecoach and train.  Hotels were built near the springs to accomodate the visiters and with the money being made on cotton and lumber the town began to develop and grow and in 1885 became incorporated.  It thrived for several years and there are still several Victorian buildings that have survived.  The town itself has become a small rural town that supports the Stephen Foster State Park tourists. 
We are all set up for the next 10 days here at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, FL   Like I said yesterday this is the 10th year of us camping here with three other families and the first night was great.  Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park puts on a Festival of Lights and this year is the biggest yet.  They have added a blizzard area where you can play in snowflakes (made of soap) then go and get free popcorn, hot chocolate and roast marshmellows at the bon fire in Gingerbread Square.  We have not done our official light walk but did check out the snow and had to sample the popcorn and hot chocolate.  We then headed back to the campsite and sat around a nice fire.  It was a nice start to our week here together.  Today it is raining so we will find "indoor" things to do.  I will be taking pictures of the light festival, probably not tonight, and will post them when I do.  Check back to see the lights and the historical buildings of White Springs and learn more about Stephen Foster State Park.