Florida is well-known for its beautiful beaches and blue waters; however, did you know that Florida is also home to hundreds of natural freshwater springs? Some of the world’s largest springs are located in our state. This is the first in a series of posts featuring these natural wonders that sometimes get lost under the glamour of the beaches and theme parks. We will start our tour by focusing on a spring that has been a movie set, a roadside attraction, and is now a state park: Wakulla Springs.
History
If you ever watched The Creature from the Black Lagoon or any of the Tarzan movies, you have seen Wakulla Springs. All of these movies were filmed at Wakulla Springs.
In the 1920s, financier Edward Ball was touring Florida’s panhandle searching for land to grow pulpwood. When he stumbled upon Wakulla Springs, Ball fell in love. Eleven years later, he purchased the springs and surrounding area from the Christy brothers, who operated a small restaurant on the site.
The Lodge
Beginning in 1935, Ball supervising the construction of the Wakulla Springs Lodge. The lodge, which is still in operation today, boasts the world’s longest marble bar which is over 70 feet long. Much of the lodge is built from “heart” cypress which is the interior of the tree. All of the cypress logs used in the lodge’s construction were “dead heads.” This term refers to cypress that had fallen into the water and was submerged for 50 years or more. This immersion makes the wood impervious to rot.
Ball successfully preserved the springs and the surrounding area to create a serene and peaceful retreat. The Lodge at Wakulla Springs offers visitors a tour through Florida’s pristine past. True to Ball’s word to preserve the area and to create a serene and peaceful retreat, the Lodge at Wakulla Springs is an example of precise craftsmanship and offers visitors a timeless glimpse into Florida’s pristine and elegant past.
Today
Today, the Lodge is located in the middle of Wakulla Springs State Park. The Lodge boasts 27 rooms overlooking the spring. You can stay overnight, enjoy a meal in the Edward Ball Dining Room or enjoy an ice cream at the world’s largest marble soda fountain. No matter what you choose, you will be amazed at the Lodge’s natural beauty.
