Fanning Springs FORT FANNING HISTORICAL PARK
US Hwy 19/98 and Kentucky Street Fanning Springs, FL 32693 Hours: 24 hours daily Fort Fanning was built in 1838 during the Second Seminole War. Made of wood and situated in a warm, humid climate, remnants of the actual fort have long since disappeared. Originally called “Fort Palmetto,” the fort was renamed to honor Colonel Alexander Campbell Wilder Fanning (1788-1846), who served under General Andrew Jackson in the First Seminole War. The park features a trail which adjoins the Nature Coast State Trail and ends at the Fanning Springs Chamber. Enjoy the boardwalk along the river, benches, playground and exercise bars.
ANDREWS WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
160th Street off of US 19 Fanning Springs, FL 32693 Entrance only with a daily use permit myfwc.com/RECREATION/WMASites_Andrews_visitorinfo.htm Andrews Wildlife Management Area is an oasis in the rapidly developing Lower Suwannee River region. Of the estimated 20,000 to 25,000 acres of upland hardwood forest that once existed along the lower Suwannee, the last large tract is located within the 3,501-acre Andrews WMA. The old-growth upland hardwood forest at Andrews shows little evidence of human disturbance. Its well-developed canopy with trees in various stages of growth and decay provides food, cover, nesting and denning sites for many wildlife species. Here you can enjoy small, high-quality hunts and excellent fishing along the banks of the Suwannee. Hike, jog, or bike along pleasant well-marked trails, three of which lead to champion trees. There is a dock on the river as well as a covered picnic area. The City of Hawkinsville is a well-preserved wreck located 100 yards south of the railroad trestle bridge at Old Town. The wreck is designated a Florida Underwater Archaeological Preserve and only divers with advanced open water certification may explore the exterior of the vessel. The wreck’s port side is only three feet under the surface, while its starboard edge is at a depth of 20 feet. The 141-foot long by 30-foot wide vessel is in a remarkable state of preservation due to the freshwater environment of the Suwannee River. The hull is almost entirely intact, including the stem post, the deck planking, exterior planking, boiler room and internal framing. Dating from the era of wooden-hulled paddlewheel steamboats, the vessel was constructed for the Hawkinsville (Georgia) Deepwater Boat Lines in 1886. It was sold 14 years later to the Gulf Transportation Company of Tampa, which used it to transport cargo on the Suwannee River. The City of Hawkinsville was especially important to the growth of the lumber industry in the region. In an ironic twist, the City of Hawkinsville transported materials for the construction of a railroad bridge across the Suwannee River, at Old Town, thus assisting in the development of the railroads in the region. In 1922, the City of Hawkinsville’s captain, Mr. Currie, abandoned the vessel in the middle of the Suwannee River as the steamboat was no longer profitable. photos: left, City of Hawkinsville, Florida State Archives, above, Lois Fletcher
www.FloridasEden.org Pure Water Wilderness Scenic Guide
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