Nowadays, most people see water as a family fun destination – a lake, river, or ocean makes for the perfect weekend getaway. But there was once a time when water was looked at for its healing properties. With the vast amounts of mineral waters in Florida over the years, this was a major draw for tourists from all over the country. Take White Springs, Florida, as the perfect example. With water drawn in from the Suwannee River, this site was a historic mineral spring and tourist attraction for the small town. Take a look at what made this natural spring such a hidden gem.

The mineral springs which resulted from the Suwannee River have been a historical, time-tested vacation destination where people used to flock from all over the country.
Google Michael Megler
The Suwannee River created one of the earliest mineral springs resorts in the state. Eventually, this site became a beloved hotel tourist destination.
But even before European settlement, the sulfur springs on the Suwannee River were said to have healing properties by the Timucuan tribe and the Apalachee tribe.
Google Local Justin L
This river became sacred to the nearby tribes, with warring tribes bathing and drinking the waters, setting aside their disagreements.

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Bryant and Elizabeth Sheffield discovered the spring again in the 1830s, despite the smell being horrid. However, Mr. Sheffield claimed that after drinking the water from the spring, his rheumatism was gone, his kidney troubles stopped, and his nerves calmed.
Google Local Michael Megler
The sulfur springs on the river became touted as a cure for many ailments, resulting in a log hotel built beside the spring by the Sheffields for people to come and restore their health.
White Springs Hotel became a huge draw for tourists in the 1830s and was dubbed “Florida’s Original Tourist Destination.”
Wikipedia Library of Congress
Among the visitors to the springs over the years included Henry Ford and Teddy Roosevelt, to name a few.
By the 1930s, however, the popularity of the resort lessened. The spring, which at one time flowed at 47 million days a day, dried up eventually.
Wikipedia Michael Rivera
Visitors today can still visit the town to observe the ruins of the old sulfur springs bathhouse, which still are a reminder of the tourist attraction from long ago.

Have you ever heard about White Springs in Florida before? Did you know the history behind it? Share with us your experience in the comments section!

Beyond the mineral springs in Florida, you can still swim in some first-magnitude springs! Check out the brilliantly blue water at Ginnie Springs, Florida.

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Suwannee Springs, FL 32060, USA