Alexander Springs
Lost…in the Perfect Spot
Last summer, relatives were in town and we decided to venture to Alexander Springs, just an hour north of the Ocala National Forest.
My father, his brothers and my grandparents spent many summers cooling off at Alexander Springs, escaping the Florida heat before air conditioners. I think it is awesome to share places with my kids that generations of our family have shared too. This was my first visit, although I have heard stories and seen photos.
Grayson, Grant and I gathered the snorkeling gear, packed lunch and headed out for a day of fun. After an hour of travel, I realized we might be a little lost, we should have arrived at this point. Much of Ocala is forest and tiny towns that are gone when you blink. I knew I was not far but wasn’t exactly sure which road I missed. I caught sight of a sign for a visitor’s center and decided I needed to stop.
Well back off the road, in a clump of trees, was a little wooden cabin with an open sign in the window. I assumed it was the visitor center I saw a sign for. I was happy to find a place to get us going in the right direction. We were now at the two-hour mark, and I knew our family would wonder where we were. Cell service was not working in the forest.
We opened the old screen door and walked into the cutest cabin. Inside was Mrs. Lee. I told her our story, she took me to the wall map and showed me where to go. She then told my boys to go check the other rooms to see what they could find. I couldn’t imagine that they would find anything interesting in that tiny place.
After she gave me a map, assured me I was not far, I went to the back rooms to find the boys. I was surprised by all the Indian artifacts, taxidermy animals, historical photographs, clothing and tree dissections packed in two tiny bedrooms. This place was a fantastic history lesson.
We needed to get going. We said goodbye to Mrs. Lee and signed the guest book. We had been the only visitors that day. I told her I enjoyed our visit, I was happy we had gotten lost.
While catching up with our family we found another fantastic gem! Alexander Springs is spectacular. Blue water bubbling up over the spring. The swimming area was large, but only a small area in the spring was over our heads.
Green grass blanked the picnic area where tables were plentiful. Old oaks and tall, skinny palm trees surrounded the area. It was picturesque of old Florida, just as I remember in my grandparent’s photo slides.
The visitor center was called the Pitman House, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, CCC, in 1938. as part of America’s launch into conserving our natural resources and parks across America. This particular home was built for the state game officer.
Look for historic sites built by the CCC in your area. Thousands of young men, worked hard to build these areas to support their families deep in the heart of the Great Depression. What they were able to accomplish in a few years is treasured today.
Alexander Springs made an impression on me. Researching the Ocala Forest after our visit, I read the Pitman House had been closed for quite some time. Interesting.! Little did Mrs. Lee know what an impression the house would make on a lost, weary mom.
God’s beauty surrounds us daily in big and small ways. Let him guide you to “stumbled upon” treasures.
What can you find on an exploration of a town nearby where you live?
Lessons for this week:
- Learn about the CCC and how it changed the landscape of America.
- Use the activity sheet, State and Local Parks, on your park visit this week.
- Find out more about the CCC with the cut-out page.
- Dig deeper with the research page on the Civilian Conservation Corp.