The West Leon County Heritage Trail AIN ROADS & M CROSS ROADS * * * * * This publication has been prepared under the auspices of the John G. Riley Center/Museum for African American History & Culture, Tallahassee, Florida – Althemese Barnes, Executive Director. Funding was obtained through a Leon County Board of Commissioners, Certified, Local Government Grant from the Bureau of Historic Preservation, Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State. However, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Leon County or the Florida Department of State, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation by Leon County or the Florida Department of State. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise for any other purpose without prior written permission from the John G. Riley Center/Museum, the Florida Department of State and Leon County government. We gratefully acknowledge the support and assistance of Dr. Anthony Dixon - Florida A&M University, Julianne Hare - Rabbit’s Den Productions (author), Don Lanham - Leon County, Jerry Lee – Mission San Luis, and Ross Morrell - Ross Morrell & Associates. COVER PHOTO – The C. H. Corn Hydroelectric Plant, Leon County, FL circa 1913. Courtesy of the Florida State Archives Photographic Collection. INSIDE COVER PHOTO - A West Leon County sharecropper plows his field with the help of an ox. Courtesy of the Florida State Archives Photographic Collection. Legend Tour 1 N Tour 2 Tour 3 Orchard Pond Rd. PLEASE DO NOT TRESPASS ON To Havana PRIVATE PROPERTY 32 Lake Jackson 31 30 29 N. Monroe St. Crowder gadsden CoUntY Rd. Indian Ochlockonee River 28 Mound Rd. Capital Circle N.W. Capital Circle To Quincy Lake Ella Geddie Rd. Tharpe St. 27 23 Ocala Rd. 24 22 7th Ave. 25 Tennessee St. 26 Bethel Church 21 8 4 6 Blountstown Hwy./ Rd. 7 2 Scouting Nature’s Bounty... 11 Jackson Bluff Rd. 5 Lake Talquin Forbes Purchase Line 10 9 Williams Landing Rd. 1 Jack Vause Rd. State Hwy. 20 12 14 13 taLLahassee 15 Joe Thomas Rd. Missions to Megawatts... Ben Stoutamire Rd. 17 Harvey CreekFt. Braden 3 Silver U.S. Hwy. 90 Luther Hall Rd. Lake 16 18 To Hosford 20 Apalachicola Agriculture to Arrowheads... 19 BLoxham National Leon CoUntY U.S. Hwy. 27/Old Bainbridge Smith Creek Hwy. Forest Road Introduction Leon County has always treasured its past and has done an amazing job of preserving the many historical treasures found among its rolling hills. From the Indian Mounds of Lake Jackson to the re-constructed and interpreted remains of the Spanish occupation at the San Luis Mission, visitors can experience what it must have been like to live here many, many years ago. We celebrate the natural beauty of our surroundings and are ever mindful of the future of our forests and waterways. The western edge of the Red Hills of Florida offers some of America’s best boating and fishing areas, but they are also home to some of America’s most unique technological institutes. Leon County is a leader in exploring alternative energy production and practical applications for magnetic power. This booklet describes three tours that will introduce you to some of Leon County’s most significant historical treasures – as well as some of the cutting edge technology of today. Each route will take from one to six hours to travel – depending on how many stops you choose to make and how long you linger to explore. Each journey connects to another and we encourage you to discover them all. 1 Tour Information Sites of interest are each numbered and identified by one of four symbols. Written directions appear throughout the text and a map is included at the end of this publication. A supplement of related oral histories may be obtained from the John G. Riley Center/Museum for African American History & Culture at 419 East Jefferson Street, Tallahassee, Florida or by calling 850-681-7881. Visit their web site at www.rileymuseum.org. Drive Through: Leon County neighborhoods were often named after the plantations that dotted the area during ante bellum times. After the Civil War, newly formed communities adopted names that honored centers of worship or well-known property owners. Residents rarely said they came from Tallahassee or Leon County – they said they came from places like Lake Jackson, Bloxham, Lake Bradford and Ft. Braden. These “neighborhoods” covered large geographical areas whose borders are not easily defined. Some are included here because the ties to these communities are strong and continue to the present day. Windshield: These sites are significant, but structures may be in a restricted location or are inaccessible. You may drive past – or pause – at a windshield site, but please remain in your vehicle. Stop: Feel free to park and take a leisurely walk around the area. Remember to practice good visitor manners. Gone But Not Forgotten: These sites include places where historical events occurred, or where significant structures once stood. Both played a key role in the development of our county and the memory of them is an important part of our blended history. Be A Thoughtful Visitor Each of the three tours outlined here include burial grounds and sensitive historical sites. Please do not walk through grave sites and take care not to drive over, park on, or disturb grassy areas. Avoid scheduling your visit at times when worship services may be taking place. Stash your trash in receptacles provided or take it with you. 2 Scouting Nature’s Bounty ... State Hwy. 20 Some of Leon County’s most beautiful and distinctive water features are located on the western side of Leon County. Visitors can fish, swim, go boating, or marvel at the unusual sink holes that are unique to the North Central Florida area. Take your time to explore every shaded nook and gravel road. Watch out for the wildlife. Tour # 1 begins at the intersection of Capital Circle S.W. and State Hwy. 20 (also known as Pensacola Street in town and Blountstown Hwy. outside the city limits). Head out in a westerly direction. You will reach the first site in approximately .5 miles. It is on the left- hand side of the road. # 1) Tiny reGiSTer’S hwy. 20 BBQ restaurant (now closed) was always a pretty unpretentious place to eat, but the Register name has been associated with quality meats since they opened Tiny’s Smokehouse on Tharpe St. back in the 1950s. “Tiny” is a full-figured fellow named Wayne who decided to semi-retire in 2007. New owners are moving in, but whether they can match Tiny’s great food and fast, friendly service remains to be seen. Who knows if they will preserve the distinctive sign that advertised you could “Dine in and Pig Out”? At least the building will stay as a reminder of happy times when you were as likely to run into a “local” as you were to encounter a famous celebrity. Burt Reynolds was among Register’s customers. You can still enjoy trademark Register BBQ in Woodville where Wayne’s brother is open for business. Rumor has it that Tiny will continue to make his trademark sausage and just might cater an event or two. Continue west on State Hwy. 20. Drive approximately 2 miles. The next tour stop is on the right. # 2) The CounTry Feed STore and Garden Supply has just about everything connected with the out-of-doors. It is all packed into a crowded acre or two and a cluster of buildings that have been added to over the years. The store was established some 25 years ago and gets bigger and better every year. Shoppers can find everything from gate posts to eclectic plant hangers made from old tires. There are growing things, fertilizer, equine tack, and stuff for your hunting dogs – not to mention live birds and an eclectic antique shop named Yardbird Alley. They have animals to look at and animals to buy. Kids will love Felix the “store” cat and the emu out back. Be sure to meet Lucy the wonder dog. People wonder why she growls and wags her tail at the same time, but remember, she is a reflection of her surroundings – a little confusing, but very friendly! 3 Drive approximately 5 miles. Turn left (south) on Silver Lake Rd. Drive approximately 2 miles. Make another left turn at the sign to Silver Lake Recreation Area. # 3) Silver lake is a playground for those who enjoy fresh water swimming, nature trails, and quiet boating. During the days of Jim Crow laws and segregation, spring-fed Silver Lake was one of the few local areas where African Americans were “allowed” to swim. There is a boat ramp, but anything larger than a trolling motor is prohibited. Canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats are welcome. There are plenty of picnic tables and grills to accommodate families and large groups. Three covered picnic shelters are also available on a first- come basis. One on-site historic bathhouse was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, but Silver Lake also has modern facilities that include flush toilets and hot showers. As an added bonus, the area is relatively level and easily accessible to wheelchairs. Overnight camping is prohibited and alcoholic beverages are forbidden. There is a day use fee of $3.00 per day, per vehicle. Frequent visitors may purchase an unlimited pass for $40.00 that will also get you into all other National Forests in the state. For more information, call 850-926-3561.