Florida Foresight

Maritime Tourism Trail

Taylor , Dixie, and Levy County Maritime Heritage Sites

Overview

This route crosses the Suwannee River, once populated with side-wheel steamboats which now lay in rest as an underwater archaeological park, past islands dotted with pine and cedar trees, a lighthouse, clam beds, museums, working waterfronts, and quaint fishing villages.

Route: This portion of the Maritime Heritage Trail is accessed off US Highway 19, which travels in a north-south direction along the Big Bend Coast.

Minimum time: One day.

Distance: 97 miles including side trips.

Accommodations: Numerous restaurants and accommodations in Perry, Chiefland, and Cedar Key.

Reservations: For information, visit www.cedarkey.org , www.fanningspringsflorida.com, www.steinhatchee.com, and www.taylorflorida.com

Facilities: Public restrooms, covered picnic areas, lodging, restaurants, seafood markets, beaches, interpretive material, and working waterfronts for clam farming.

Minimum time: One hour for the following stops.

Big Bend Wildlife Management Area-Hagen’s Cove

Directions: Along the coast on Scenic CR 361 between Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee.

Description: Panoramic views of pine islands, natural beaches, and shallow bays of the Gulf. Contains observation tower, picnic pavilions, and an interpretive kiosk on the “Sponge Fishing Industry” that once flourished in these waters. Also a popular spot for fishing, canoeing, and scalloping.

Town of Steinhatchee

Directions: Located on CR 361 just south of Hagen’s Cove.

Description: Picturesque fishing and scalloping town on the scenic Steinhatchee River, with sweeping water views, marinas, parks, restaurants, and lodging.

Stop 2: Dixie County

Facilities: Covered picnic areas, lodging, public restrooms restaurants, Post Office, seafood markets, water views, houseboat rentals, marinas and fishing.

Minimum time: One hour.

Contact: www.suwanneeriverchamber.com

Town of Suwannee

Directions: At US Highway 19 at Old Town, take CR 349 west for 23 miles.

Description: The town of Suwannee is an historic fishing village located at the point where the salt waters of the Gulf of Mexico intertwine with the spring-fed waters of the majestic Suwannee River. Secluded at the heart of the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, this unique small community overlooks the river and gulf, salt and fresh water creeks, and man-made canals. Great access to the Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail and the river via houseboats.

Stop 3: Levy County

Facilities: Indian mounds, water views, museums, lighthouse, marinas, fishing, outfitters, public restrooms, covered picnic areas, lodging, restaurants, seafood markets

Minimum time: Five hours.

Fanning Springs State Park

Directions: 18020 US Highway 19 at Fanning Springs.

Description: Located on the Suwannee River, this inviting source of cool, clear water has attracted people for thousands of years. Fanning Springs produces an average of 65 million gallons of water daily, making it one of Florida’s 33 first magnitude springs. Swimming or snorkeling in the spring is a refreshing activity on a hot day; fishing is also a popular recreation. Visitors can enter the park by boat from the Suwannee River as well as by car. A nature trail and boardwalk overlook the spring and river. Manatees sometimes visit the spring during the winter months. Nearby Fort Fanning was built in 1883 during the second Seminole War.

Park Fees: $4.00 per vehicle (limit 8 people per vehicle); Single car occupant - $3.00;
Pedestrians, Bicyclists, Extra Passengers, Passengers In Vehicles With Holder of Annual Individual Entrance Permit - Admission Fee $1.00 per person; Motorcycle (one or two occupants) - $3.00; Cabins Rental Fee - $90.00 plus tax.

Hours: 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

Contact: 352/463-3420; www.floridastateparks.org/fanningsprings

Cedar Key

Directions: At intersection of US Highway 19 at Town of Otter Creek, take SR 24 for 21 miles.

Description: Cedar Key is one of the oldest ports in the state, and when Florida's first railroad connected it to the east coast, the city became a major supplier of seafood and timber products to the northeast. Today it has become a haven for artists and writers who find the unspoiled environment inspirational to their work. Many people visit each year to walk the historic streets, browse the shops and galleries, explore the back bayous, and enjoy the world-famous restaurants featuring seafood fresh from local waters. In addition to excellent fishing, birdwatching, and nearby nature trails, guides are available to take parties for off-shore trips to the outer islands. A public marina with boat docking is available. The variety of natural habitats, from salt marshes to Indian shell mounds, makes Cedar Key truly a nature lover's paradise.

Cedar Key Historical Society

Directions: Located at 609 2nd Street in Cedar Key.
Description: The Museum opened its doors in 1979 in the historic Lutterloh building on the corner of 2nd street and SR 24. Exhibits include prehistoric and Native American artifacts, the 2nd Seminole Indian War, the Civil War, the cedar pencil and lumbering industries, maritime activity prior to Tampa’s development as a port, and the seafood industry up to today’s successful clam aquaculture. There is also an extensive collection of old Cedar Key photographs.

Hours: Sunday through Friday 1 to 4 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Fee: Adults - $1.00, Children – 50 cents.

Contact: Telephone: 352/543-5549; www.cedarkeymuseum.org/exhibits

Cedar Key Museum State Park

Directions: Off State Road 24 at 12231 SW 166th Court in Cedar Key.

Description: Walk back in time with a visit to the restored, 1920's era, St. Clair Whitman house.
Picturesque Cedar Key was a thriving port city and railroad connection during the 19th century. The museum contains exhibits that depict its colorful history during that era. Part of the collection includes sea shells and Indian artifacts collected by Saint Clair Whitman, the founder of the first museum in Cedar Key. Whitman's house is located at the park and has been restored to reflect life in the 1920s. A short nature trail gives visitors the opportunity to see wildlife and birds, as well as native vegetation.

Hours: Thursday-Monday from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Tours of the house are available Thursday through Monday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Fees: $1.00/person (children under six years old are free).

Contact:www.floridastateparks.org/cedarkeymuseum

Seahorse Key Lighthouse at the Marine Laboratory of the University of Florida

Directions: Boat transportation from Cedar Key.

Description: Seahorse Key is a 165-acre island located in Levy County and is part of the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge. It is a former dune and has a 52-foot elevation, which is atypical for the Cedar Keys area. The island has a rich history, bears extensive shell deposits of aboriginal origin, and contains interesting archeological excavations. During the early American occupation of Florida, the Cedar Keys were occupied by Seminoles. Seahorse Key was used as a supply depot and military hospital, as well as a detention center for captured Indians during the Indian Wars of the 1830s and 1840s. The present lighthouse at Seahorse Key was built in 1854 when the town of Cedar Key was the depot for all trade and communication up and down the Suwannee River. In 1862, Union forces from the U.S.S. Hatteras attacked the port and rail terminus at Cedar Key and destroyed all structures of military value at Seahorse Key. The light station was discontinued as a navigational beacon in 1915. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places and is used as a dormitory in connection with educational programs.

Hours: The grounds and tower are open to the public during a two-day open house scheduled the third weekend of each October.

Contact: 352/392-1101; www.zoology.ufl.edu/shkml/seahorsesite

Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, Shell Mound Unit

Directions: From SR 24, take CR 347 to CR 326, travel west for 3 miles.

Description: 36,000 acres of wetlands and 16,000 acres of uplands along 26 miles of the Gulf of Mexico to the mouth of the Suwannee River. The Shell Mound Unit of Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge is adjacent to Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge. This ancient feature was initially created by Archaic Period cultures and completed by Woodland Period cultures. Its height was reached by the residents’ discarding of the shells of their food source—oysters, clams, and other mollusks—over a 6,000 year time span. Once used as a source of materials for road construction (prior to establishment of the Refuge) the mound is now protected from all but foot traffic. Shell Mound Unit offers several recreational opportunities including informational kiosks, picnic tables, hiking trails, boat ramp, and fishing pier.

The Shellfish Aquaculture Extension Program

Directions: Housed within the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s ( FWC) Marine Laboratory on SR 24 in Cedar Key.

Description: Focus is on the clam aquaculture industry in Cedar Key. The Marine Lab has outdoor information kiosks, classrooms for workshops and seminars, a conference room for meetings, and wet and dry laboratory space. Field personnel for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) also maintain office space in the Marine Lab, including Shellfish Environmental Assessment Section staff who manage and monitor shellfish harvesting waters in the Big Bend region, a shellfish processing plant inspector, and an agriculture law specialist.