History
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Effective Oct. 9, 2024: The ADA accessible path to the spring at Ponce de Leon Springs State Park is temporarily unavailable due to maintenance. For assistance, please contact the ranger station.
European settlers and the Native Americans before them used Ponce de Leon Springs as a source of drinking water and recreation.
The harvesting of timber and turpentine were the major industries in and around the area. The majestic longleaf pines were ideal for building homes, businesses, and the railroad that traversed the Florida Panhandle.
The spring was owned by the Smithgall family in the mid-1920s. They added many amenities to the property, including a restroom with showers, eatery and a skating rink. The Smithgalls also added a wooden retaining wall around the spring to prevent erosion.
The Spring of 1925
Although not literally the fountain of youth that Juan Ponce de Leon hoped to find when he landed in Florida in 1513, the spring bearing his name has been a refreshing detour for many visitors over the years.
The Smithgall family helped create the recreational destination Ponce de Leon Springs is today. They installed a bath house, eatery and skating rink and surrounded the spring with a retaining wall to prevent erosion. The skating rink and eatery are gone, and bathing fashions have definitely changed, but a relaxing dip in the spring remains the same.
Catface, 1937
The harvesting of timber and turpentine were the main industries for this area of Florida in the early 20th century. Wood from the majestic longleaf pine was ideal for building homes, businesses and the railroad that cut across the Florida Panhandle.
Turpentining is a process by which deep grooves are cut into the bark of the pine tree causing it to weep resin. The resin was used for the making of paint, ink, glue, medicines and numerous other items.