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There are three very special state parks in the area to the south of Tallahassee between the city and the Gulf of Mexico. One is an area of great natural beauty, one a Civil War battlefield and the last is a site of special historical significance. All can be visited in one day.
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
This park was named for Financier Edward Ball and is one of the premier locations of the Florida State Park system. It features one of the world's largest and freshest deep-water springs, fed by seven under-ground rivers. At the 2,860 acre park, you can cruise the lake in glass-bottom boats and peer into the crystal-clear waters where you'll find the entrance to a cavern. Other boat trips downstream will take you through ancient cypress groves where many of Florida's wildlife can be seen. This includes alligators, white-tailed deer, raccoon, opossum, wild turkey, herons, egrets, black vultures, turkey vultures, bald eagles and osprey. In the winter months, thousands of migrating water fowl can be seen, including the hood merganzer, American widgeon, American coot, and the lesser scaup. The park is included in the nation-wide Audubon Christmas Bird Count.
At a constant temperature at 70 degrees F, the water is good for swimming. There are also ranger-led snorkeling programs and a six-mile hiking trail. For more information, write to: 550 Wakulla Park Drive, Wakulla Springs, FL 32305 or call (850) 224-5950.
San Marcos DeApalache State Historical Site
This area was first visited in 1528 by Panfilo de Narvaze and a force of 300 men. A few years later, in 1539, Hernando de Soto came along with 600 men. It wasn't until 1679 that a fort was built by the Spanish Governor of Florida. At first it was only a wooden structure, but was then replaced by a stone one in 1739. It was handed over to the English as a result of the war with Spain. It saw war again in 1861 during the Civil War. It was occupied by Confederate forces and was renamed Fort Ward. A Union Naval squadron blockaded the area at the mouth of the St. Marks River. A museum now occupies the site where the fort once stood. For more information, write to: 1022 Desoto Park Drive Tallahassee, FL 32301, or call (850) 922-6007 or (850) 925-6216.
Natural Bridge Battlefield State Historical Site
Tallahassee was the only Confederate state capitol not to fall to Union forces during the Civil War. During the final weeks of that conflict, Union troops arrived by sea in hopes of taking the city by surprise. However, Confederate spotters sent word and Tallahassee managed to put together a rag-tag force of regulars, old men, and boys that faced the Union army at the Natural Bridge on the St. Marks River. Unorganized though they were, they were more than a match for the Union forces and repulsed the Federals.
Today it is simply a quiet place to imagine what it must have been like during those horrible days of war. During the summer, military re-enactments are put on by park service employees and local volunteers. For more information, write to: 1022 Desoto Park Drive Tallahassee, FL 32301, or call (850) 922-6007 or (850) 925-6216.
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