White Springs Florida

Once Florida springs attracted visitors from all over the country and world to take the healing waters. Victorian America flocked to White Springs, FL in the early 1900s, prompting a building boom and thriving commerce. A coquina and concrete bathhouse build in 1904 complimented the then 14 hotels in business to accommodate the visitors. Today, people visit White Springs for the Steven Foster Cultural Center State Park. We camped there in October, and enjoyed walking through the quaint town and admiring the older buildings still standing.

The Telford Hotel, the only one of the original 14 still in business

We inquired when we arrived about a place to have lunch. Two options existed, and of the two we chose the Telford Hotel, build in 1902. The common rooms off the lobby reflect the society at the time. People socialized or sat and read in common rooms, they did not lock themselves into their individual hotel room. Lunch consisted of three small buffet stations. The first upon entering the dining room held a tempting display of desserts, the second a salad station, and the third main courses and sides. After driving over 4 hours, we appreciated both the food and the small town hospitality.

The Bath House, closed and under repair

The Adams Country Store, originally build in the mid 1800s to handle the bustling commerce attracted to the area, still stands as an imposing structure. According to local newspaper reports, restoration of this magnificent and historic building continues.

The town library is located in a former gas station.

A friend told us we must eat at the Swannee Diner when in the area for a true Florida meal. We could find no reference to the diner, but walking along taking photographs one morning we discovered the reason. Unfortunately, it apparently went out of business, but the facinating facade still decorates the street.