Magnesia Springs in Alachua County, Florida : then and now
(Book)

Includes bibliographical references.

"From the late 1920s to 1970s, Magnesia Springs was one of the most popular recreational destinations in Alachua County, Florida. With two pools fed by a natural spring (and later artesian wells), picnic areas, a concession stand, and pristine surroundings, people from all over the region could spend an entire summer day frolicking in the crystal-clear, blue, 72-degree water! Historic, fourth-magnitude Magnesia Springs was the playground for many in the 20th century. Its history is filled with many landowners and people who have loved the pure and clear water. We look at the history and the people who have been caretakers of this unique "swimming hole" in "old" rural Alachua County, Florida, from the 1817 Arredondo Land Grant through present day. There are hard-to-find historical photographs galore, presented chronologically. See the spring basin before it became a water source for an adjacent pool (formed by cypress board and battens with a cement floor) built before 1882 by Cicero A. Simmons. You will see photos of gradual changes until the late 1920s when G. Hartwell Kelley began replacing the existing pool with a much larger pool whose waters spilled into a smaller wading pool. This book was written to preserve the history of Magnesia Springs. Factual information comes primarily from the research of a member of the family that owned Magnesia Springs for 82 years (1882 to 1964). This research material was provided to this author in order to write this history of Magnesia Springs. The author and his wife interviewed several people who swam at the springs long ago, and family members who worked there. Their stories are truly fascinating with lots of details about what it took to operate and keep the springs open to the many visitors through the 19th and the 20th century. This book is a must have for spring lovers and others who share a passion about "Old Florida." - Amazon.com.

ACLD local author.