Florida State Parks 75th Anniversary Logo
The bridge at Lime Sink Run is a great place to take beautiful photos. (Photo by Raymond Eby) This purple leather flower is just one of the many beautiful species that can be seen in the park. (Photo by Arlen Egley) A canoeist enjoys a paddle down the Suwannee River. Trees shade the picnic area while the swing bench in the background invites guests to sit peacefully and take in the river views.
Suwannee River State Park
Two large cypress trees overlook the peaceful Suwannee River from a sand bank.
A sign marks the location of Confederate earthworks that were built here during the Civil War. Earthworks
A man stands on a limestone rock outcropping in this 1923 photo. Balancing Rock
This old tombstone in the Columbus Cemetery remembers Mollie and Jackson Cannon. Columbus Cemetery
The remains of the old sawmill that once operated here rest under moss-covered trees. Sawmill Wheel
Machinery at work digging a swimming area in Lime Sink Run, in the 1950s. Old Swimming Hole

History and Culture

During 1818 Andrew Jackson lead American forces through this area searching for Indian strongholds, believed responsible for raiding settlers. Vestiges of history in the park show how important the Suwannee River was to Florida history. One can find an earthworks mound built during the Civil War to defend the railroad crossing that supplied confederate troops. The town of Columbus, established in 1841, was also located here. This town once prospered from river steamboat traffic carrying passengers and freight. The Columbus Cemetery, one of the state¿s oldest, and old stagecoach road, a major 1800s route of travel from Pensacola to Jacksonville, can still be visited in the park¿s sandhills. Initial acquisition of the park took place in 1936 and was formally opened in 1951.

A sign marks the location of Confederate earthworks that were built here during the Civil War.

Earthworks

In 1863, Confederate soldiers built earthworks to protect the railroad bridge located at what was once the town of Columbus. Union troops were marching west from Jacksonville to destroy the railroad bridge when Confederate reinforcements, having traveled by rail across the Suwannee River, helped defeat and turn them back at the Battle of Olustee in February 1864.

A man stands on a limestone rock outcropping in this 1923 photo.

Balancing Rock

This photo, taken in 1923, is now park property. The rock is known as Balancing Rock. This limestone outcropping looks a bit different today due to the passage of time and climate changes, but it remains a remarkable feature to see either by canoe on the river or by land on the park trail.

This old tombstone in the Columbus Cemetery remembers Mollie and Jackson Cannon.

Columbus Cemetery

The Columbus Cemetery, established in 1860 consitss of 23 graves -- the earliest recorded in it is 1862. The stones in the cemetery are made of various materials, including granite, marble and metal, and are in different conditions of repair. The last known burial in the cemetery was 1973.

The remains of the old sawmill that once operated here rest under moss-covered trees.

Sawmill Wheel

These pieces of machinery belonged to a sawmill that operated on the Suwannee River in the 1800s. This area was a thriving part of the lumber business founded by former Florida Governor George Drew.

Machinery at work digging a swimming area in Lime Sink Run, in the 1950s.

Old Swimming Hole

The park began building a swimming area in Lime Sink Run during the 1950s. Due to the effects of flooding, the swimming hole did not last long and does not exist today.