REL 3938 Assignment 5: DeLeon Springs

REL 3938 Assignment 5: DeLeon Springs

            When I first found the visitor center, I noticed how the archives/information on the walls was in order from the oldest history to the most recent history of those who lived around (what is now called) DeLeon Springs.  Beginning with ancient inhabitants that date back as far as 6,000 years ago (according to a hand out the center provided) to becoming a state park in 1982, DeLeon springs is definitely a site with immense historical value.

            Before the intrusion of European explorers, there were many Native Americans who inhabited the area.  Such evidence of these people includes shell mounds, middens (garbage heaps), and tools.  While we can verify the presence of these populations, some of history cannot be verified but rather is left to speculation.  An example in the timeline of DeLeon Springs would be that in the 1500s, Ponce DeLeon came to DeLeon Springs in order to find the Fountain of Youth.  However, the museum does confess “there is no historical record or archaeological evidence to support this.”  Perhaps this “fake history” was developed in a later time period.

            DeLeon Springs was not always called DeLeon Springs – before given its current name, DeLeon Springs was known as Spring Garden.  At Spring Garden, one of the first economic growths came from producing sugar.  A man named Colonel Orlando Rees constructed, “the only water-powered sugar mill in Florida” (along with 90 slaves).  When Spring Garden began to attract tourists after the Civil War, the tourists were enticed with “a deliciously healthy combination of soda and sulfur (most likely referring to the sugar from the sugar mills).  Other original attractions to DeLeon springs, “before it got fancy” (the name of a poster that contained pictures of the Springs) include a bathhouse, a platform for diving, a swimming hole, and boating. 

            At this point in history, DeLeon Springs was a simple attraction that brought in some tourists.  Eventually, during the “Wish You Were Here” age, DeLeon springs wanted to garner even more tourists.  This is most likely where the “legend” of Ponce De Leon visiting the Springs began to be formed (as seen in old postcards and signs).  This period also introduced many unique attractions, such as Queenie, the waterskiing elephant and a high-class resort/casino. 

            The only remaining section of the DeLeon Springs Inn is the chimney, which can be seen attached to the visitor center.  Looking at this visitor center with this treasure of history attached to it brought me back to a time where swimming and birthday parties were not the only attractions that made people come to this park.  It is hard to believe the rich history that took place on these grounds, which is why we must not forget the past and do our best to help future generations understand what previous generations experienced.