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Top Notch Schools Another major attractor to the High Springs area is the quality of the High Springs Community School, which serves 893 students in grades Prekindergarten-8th grade. The High Springs Community School placed in the top 30 percent of all schools in Florida for overall test scores in math and reading proficiency for the 2015-2016 school year. “First and foremost, contributing towards growth and economic development is the quality of our schools within proximity to our walkable, historical downtown,” Wright said. “We consistently have A-rated schools in our community, and that is something of which we are all proud of in High Springs.”
Come for Nature, Stay for Culture A major draw to the area is the beautiful springs, all within 30 minutes of the city. These include Poe Springs, Blue Springs, Ginnie Springs and O’Leno State Park. Florida’s springs and rivers have long been known as premiere natural vacation destinations, bringing hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy. No matter how hot the summers get, the water in any of Florida’s hundreds of freshwater springs is never warmer than 75 degrees. Most spring water ranges from a refreshing 68 to 72 degrees year-round. The most local spring to High Springs, Poe Springs, is listed as one of the major springs in Florida. The Florida Springs Institute is located in High Springs and represents all of Florida’s springs. The Institute is committed to conserving Florida’s springs through science and education and has spent the past eight years monitoring water quality of springs throughout Florida. The Institute hosts several charity events to benefit Florida’s springs as well as educational programs for adults and children who want to learn more. The springs also attract divers from around the world. Cave County Dive Shop is happy to welcome and educate these visitors. “We are centrally located within 30 minutes to several world-class natural springs,” said Kristi Bernot, manager of Cave County Dive Shop. “Many divers from all over the world travel here to visit, dive in, and enjoy our springs and caves.” Cave County Dive Shop offer fills, repair, gear rental, service and diving courses, from basic open water up through instructor, cave and rebreather training. The shop’s professional staff can handle all diving needs. Although it may attract global customers, the local community atmosphere is what makes the employees at Cave County so happy to pursue their “labor of love.” “We love the small-town feel; our customers are like family and we enjoy all the wonderful outdoor activities to be found in the area,” Bernot said. While the springs may attract visitors, the unique vibe and culture of High Springs is what entices them to explore. There is a thriving
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arts scene in the town that has been developed and grown by a group of committed local artists and art enthusiasts. Tina Corbett, owner of Lanza Art Gallery, organized the original art co-op of 21 local artists, jewelers, potters and painters. “Of course, a lot of the art that is popular in the gallery are [paintings and] photos surrounding the springs, because that is what attracted people to the area in the first place,” Corbett said. “We have people who come here from far-off places from around the world, even as far as Lithuania.” Corbett’s store is also part of the Quilt Mural Trail, which was created to join with Trenton’s Mural Trail. A quilt trail is a series of quilt squares – painted wood or metal, hung or free-standing – installed at various locations along a route, emphasizing significant architecture and/or aesthetic landscapes. The other locations in High Springs include River Run Olive Oil, the Antique Center, the High Springs Historical Museum and Bennett’s True Value Hardware. These High Springs merchants and places embraced the quilt trail to attract more visitors to High Springs and enhance the arts culture in the city. Merchants and the CRA have also embraced the First Friday’s events where downtown merchants, such as Lanza Art Gallery, antique shops, unique craft stores and restaurants like The Great Outdoors and Bambi’s Café stay open late with live music to accompany the ambience. In fact, Bambi’s has begun hosting fivecourse meals throughout the evening and frequently sells out. The self-guided walking tour highlights the quilt murals, and there is often music, sampling, discounts, and giveaways. Lanza Gallery even hosted a sidewalk chalk event during the event as well, which was a huge success that they hope to continue on an annual basis. “High Springs is growing, and I would love for the arts scene to continue to grow with it,” Corbett said. “We host the Santa Fe Springs Plein Art Paint Out, which is an annual event with over 20 artists painting the beautiful North Florida Springs for several days.” The City, Chamber of Commerce, and community partners host several popular festivals, including Pioneer Days, a family-friendly event featuring handmade art and crafts, pony rides, costume contests and a reenacted shoot-out twice daily. Each summer the city is filled with music with Folk in the Springs, a series of performances that showcase several venues throughout the High Springs Historic Downtown District.