Since early time, Florida Caverns have had interest. They were first
mentioned in writings by Friar Barreda, who was with the first overland
expedition made by the Spaniards to Pensacola Bay. The following
paragraph is in the Friar’s own words, written 256 years ago:
“On June 12 (1693) we continued northwest and after we had journeyed a
little more than three leagues ... we reached an abandoned village of the
Choctaw tribe called San Nicholas where I came to preach the holy gospel
in the year 1674. Here we spent the night in the hollow of such a
beautiful and unusual rock that I can state positively that more than 200
men could be lodged most comfortably in it. Inside, there is a brook
which gushes from the living rock.”
[Illustration: This form is the result of the irregular etching of the
limestone by ground water at the time the caves were formed, combined
with the later development of stalagmites and a pavement of calcite
“drip-stone” upon the irregular surface. Dust and small debris have been
incorporated in the crystals of calcite which form the stalagmites.
Visitors like to make a game of finding formations in the cave that
resemble animals and other things. Note the wolf head to the right and
the Dachshund head to the left center of the photograph.]
Experts, who know how to read stories told in the designs on Indian
pottery, state that the caves were known to the Indians of this section
long before the coming of the Spaniards. There is considerable evidence
that Indians, even prior to 1693, had been in the habit of using Florida
Caverns and caves in the vicinity for shelter during their hunting trips
into the region and for refuge from their enemies. In some of the smaller
and dry caves there have been found potsherds, or small broken pieces of
Indian pottery. According to the archaeologist, all of the sherds so far
discovered are of a late post-Columbian type. Ashes from fires, dead for
many years, flint arrowheads, and animal bones have also been found.
Several times in history, Florida Caverns—a nature-made shelter—was used
as a refuge from armed forces. During Andrew Jackson’s punitive
expedition against the Indians in 1818, a large band of Indians escaped
from his soldiers by concealing themselves within the underground caves.
Again, during the War Between the States, an outfit of Union soldiers en
route to Pensacola was resisted by a home guard unit from Marianna,
composed of men too young or too old to fight in the armies of the
Confederacy. While the battle was raging, women, children and slaves took
refuge in Florida Caverns.
[Illustration: Nestled ’midst hundreds of pines, hickories, sweetgum and
oak trees, Florida Caverns golf course is one of the most scenic in the
United States. It was laid out after the design of the famous St. Andrews
Golf Course of Scotland.]
A clear spring, which in reality is a subterranean river, rising out of
the lime rock, sends its lovely azure stream down through the park over a
mile before it enters the Chipola River. The Chipola Natural Bridge,
located in the park, is a fourth-mile long and has been restored to its
original interesting geological condition with the removal of logs and
lumber which had jammed into it in bygone days when the river was used to
float them down to a mill.
Open the year round, Florida Caverns State Park is comparable in interest
to Carlsbad Caverns, N. M., Mammoth Caves, Ky., and Luray Caverns, Va.
In addition to its geological attractions, the area in which Florida
Caverns is located is of peculiar interest biologically. In it are found
many species of both plants and animals that are not expected so far
south, as well as a large number of typically southern forms.
The State Park system of Florida has been developed as a coordinated
group of Parks, each one of which stands upon its own merits and each one
possessing as many as possible of the following values: Outstanding
historic, scenic and scientific attractions. Florida Caverns is richly
endowed with them all.
I hope that you have found this discussion of the creation of lime rock,
the formation of caves under water, the elevation of these caves above
permanent water levels and the subsequent deposition in them, of
interest.... We of the Florida Geological Survey and Florida Park Service
hope that you enjoy your visit to the Florida Caverns State Park.
_This booklet published by The Florida Park Service, Tallahassee;
photography by Monte de Oca, F.S. N.B., and William Z. Harmon; designed
and printed by Rose Printing Co., Inc., Tallahassee._
[Illustration: Overhanging rock projection caused by erosion of ancient
river. Note large tree growing in rock behind upper visitor. This feature
may be all that remains of a large cave, the surrounding limestone having
been removed. If the overhanging portion were connected to land a perfect
natural bridge would be formed.]
[Illustration: Who would expect to find this cavern scene in Florida?
Icicle-like formations and a mirror pool are features of one of the
state’s most unexpected attractions at Florida Caverns State Park.]
MARIANNA, FLORIDA
_The Home of Florida Caverns_
Marianna is located in the northwest section of Florida, approximately
twenty miles from both the Georgia and the Alabama state lines. The Gulf
of Mexico lies forty-five miles to the south, the Apalachicola River
fifteen miles to the east, and Port St. Joe only seventy miles southeast
of Marianna. It is relatively easy to travel to the various population
centers of the southeast because of Marianna’s centralized location.
Airline Service—The city is served by National Airlines, with three
flights daily, with direct service to Mobile, New Orleans, and
Jacksonville, and good connections to all major cities. Also available is
charter service through local flying agencies.
Bus Service—Marianna is a terminal station for Greyhound and Trailway Bus
Lines, and approximately 2,000 passengers daily are handled through this
station. Thirty-six regular bus schedules serve the city each twenty-four
hours. Lee’s Coach Lines, a Jackson County bus system, regularly serves
surrounding communities.
Rail Transportation—Marianna is served by the Louisville and Nashville
Railroad, and by the Marianna and Blountstown Railroad. The Atlanta and
St. Andrews Railroad traverses Jackson County, serving Cottondale, nine
miles west of Marianna, and gives direct connections from Panama City and
the Gulf of Mexico to Atlanta and other points.
Hotels, Motels and Restaurants—Marianna is a first-class hotel and motel
city, boasting three hotels, the largest of which has 125 rooms, as well
as a number of outstanding modern, air-conditioned motels. A number of
restaurants and dining rooms serve the traveling and working public. Also
rating first-class are several tourist homes along U. S. Highway 90.
Highways—Marianna is served by U. S. Highway 90, and by State Highways
276, 73, 167, and 71. U. S. Highway 231 connects with U. S. 90 only a few
miles outside Marianna. An excellent system of hard surfaced highways and
roads serve the county.
For further or definite information write Marianna-Jackson County Chamber
of Commerce, Marianna, Florida.
[Illustration: Map showing principal highways leading to Marianna, home
of Florida Caverns State Park.]
Scenic and Historic Florida
_Year Around Attractions_
Whether you are a visitor or a resident, you will want to know more about
Florida’s State Park System which preserves the tropic lure of primitive
Florida and perpetuates memorials of Florida’s absorbing history.
This system of parks and historic memorials, in areas ranging from a few
hundred to 26,000 acres, embraces more than 71,000 acres of the most
wonderful land in Florida.
These parks in their varied appeals offer recreation possibilities
extending from a few hours diversion to extended vacations.
STATE PARKS IN OPERATION
(_Acreage shown in parentheses_)
Hugh Taylor Birch (180) Ft. Lauderdale
Florida Caverns (1,131) Marianna
Fort Clinch (1,086) Fernandina
Gold Head Branch (1,338) Keystone Heights
Highlands Hammock (3,800) Sebring
Hillsborough River (2,777) Zephyrhills
Little Talbot Island (2,500) Jacksonville
Myakka River (26,747) Sarasota
O’Leno (1,388) High Springs
Killearn Gardens (306) Tallahassee