An 1864 map of North Florida, produced by the United States Coast Survey Office, shows an unknown community called Sykesville, situated somewhere along the east bank of the Suwannee River, north of Fort Fanning. Gilchrist County historian types have never heard of this place.
Some sleuthing at the BLM General Land Office reveals the sale of two 80 acre parcels to a William G Sikes in 1859. Both of these parcels are located ESE of Hart Springs, as we know it now, and situated on the old road between Fort Fanning and Wannee.
Now we know the location of Sykesville/Sikesville, and at least some of that story.
Friday, August 21, 2015
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Wannee
Wannee is a small community on the east bank of the Suwannee River. It is located about half way between Fanning Springs and Rock Bluff.
Wannee is one of the earliest known (and documented) settlements on the river. Sun Springs is nearby, and supplied fresh water to indigenous people. I have personally observed chert in the limestone on the bank of the river at Wannee.
Wannee is also a stem word for Suwannee. This is important, although exactly why is unclear,
Wannee is one of the earliest known (and documented) settlements on the river. Sun Springs is nearby, and supplied fresh water to indigenous people. I have personally observed chert in the limestone on the bank of the river at Wannee.
Wannee is also a stem word for Suwannee. This is important, although exactly why is unclear,
Friday, August 14, 2015
Why they settled where they did
While working with various maps (both historical and current) one thing that jumps out at me is the importance of terrain. Earliest settlers always went for the most hospitable terrain. Fort Fanning, Wannee and Rock Bluff are 3 examples of places that were high enough to escape flooding, had easy access to the river, and a source of fresh water (the nearby springs). They also picked a spot that allowed for crops to be cultivated nearby.
In later times, transportation became the more important factor. Starting with Indian traces, then rough trails and (what they thought of as) roads, followed by trains, and eventually motorized vehicles. The arrival of electricity, mostly via rural electrification in the 1930s, allowed for settlement of pretty much anywhere that wasn't deep in a swamp. I once had a conversation with a retired Southern Bell lineman who told me about having to use a boat, to service a line on a coastal island.
The earliest settlers (1880-1920) took advantage of the various forms of the Homestead Act. Generally, someone was entitled to homestead a quarter section (~160 acres) provided they lived on it for 5 years, planted some area in trees (to replace old growth that was being harvested) and farmed the remainder. The registration fee (circa 1903) was $18. That same farm land, in 2015 values, would be worth around $500,000 (or more, depending on where it's located).
Thus began the arrival of civilization.
In later times, transportation became the more important factor. Starting with Indian traces, then rough trails and (what they thought of as) roads, followed by trains, and eventually motorized vehicles. The arrival of electricity, mostly via rural electrification in the 1930s, allowed for settlement of pretty much anywhere that wasn't deep in a swamp. I once had a conversation with a retired Southern Bell lineman who told me about having to use a boat, to service a line on a coastal island.
The earliest settlers (1880-1920) took advantage of the various forms of the Homestead Act. Generally, someone was entitled to homestead a quarter section (~160 acres) provided they lived on it for 5 years, planted some area in trees (to replace old growth that was being harvested) and farmed the remainder. The registration fee (circa 1903) was $18. That same farm land, in 2015 values, would be worth around $500,000 (or more, depending on where it's located).
Thus began the arrival of civilization.
The Beginning
This blog is about the Suwannee River, the land of the Suwannee valley, the people, history, and hopes for the future.
The Suwannee River begins in south Georgia. Like most rivers, it has many tributaries, but the primary source is the Okefenokee Swamp.
In the earliest period of European settlement (17th-18th centuries) the areas that surrounded both sides of the river were densely populated with stands of Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) and Longleaf Pine (pinus palustris). Early logging began along the river, as the river was used as the transport method to move the logs to railroads, etc. Some logs were sufficiently dense, that they sank to the bottom of the river.
The original inhabitants along the river were the indigenous people, sometimes called Native Americans. The watershed of the Suwannee River is entirely within the area believed to be habitat of the Timucua. They did not live to see the eventual destruction of the forests along the river, presumably wiped out be disease imported with the European settlers.
Beginning about 1800-1820, the first settlers arrived. The felled trees, built cabins, and grew crops. Early crops were greens, corn, tobacco and cotton. Cattle and hogs were the livestock of choice, while horses, mules and a few oxen were the beasts of burden.
The Suwannee River begins in south Georgia. Like most rivers, it has many tributaries, but the primary source is the Okefenokee Swamp.
In the earliest period of European settlement (17th-18th centuries) the areas that surrounded both sides of the river were densely populated with stands of Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) and Longleaf Pine (pinus palustris). Early logging began along the river, as the river was used as the transport method to move the logs to railroads, etc. Some logs were sufficiently dense, that they sank to the bottom of the river.
The original inhabitants along the river were the indigenous people, sometimes called Native Americans. The watershed of the Suwannee River is entirely within the area believed to be habitat of the Timucua. They did not live to see the eventual destruction of the forests along the river, presumably wiped out be disease imported with the European settlers.
Beginning about 1800-1820, the first settlers arrived. The felled trees, built cabins, and grew crops. Early crops were greens, corn, tobacco and cotton. Cattle and hogs were the livestock of choice, while horses, mules and a few oxen were the beasts of burden.
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