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Levy County
Levy County
Levy County
Ebook181 pages33 minutes

Levy County

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Levy County was founded in 1845 and was named after Florida s first senator, David Levy Yulee. Levy County is a visitor s paradise with the small island of Cedar Key s romantic charm, shops, restaurants, festivals, and art galleries, as well as Chiefland s Train Depot Museum, Suwannee Valley Theater, Watermelon Festival, Christmas Parade of Lights, and Williston Peanut Festival. The woods of Levy County are a sportsman s paradise for hunting and fishing, and divers come from near and far to explore and enjoy the underwater caves of Manatee Springs Park.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateNov 30, 2009
ISBN9781439622377
Levy County
Author

Carolyn Cohens

Carolyn Cohens was a member of the Cedar Key Keyhole organization and numerous other organizations. An artist whose paintings reflect her African heritage, she was born in Chiefland, Florida, and attended school there. She has received the John F. Kennedy Special Arts Program award and others from the Art Coalition of Gainesville, the Waldo Arts Festival, and the Department of Cultural and Nature Operations.

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    Book preview

    Levy County - Carolyn Cohens

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    INTRODUCTION

    Levy County was founded in 1845 and was named after Florida’s first senator, Sen. David Levy Yulee. The Native Americans and the many families—men, women, and children—who came to Levy County on horseback, covered wagons, and on foot to find work and make new homes molded the county history. The land was rich, and the pine trees were plentiful. Levy County is most noted for its agriculture and timber; the pine trees provided work for many men. The pine tree proved to be very valuable because of the turpentine industry, and there were several turpentine camps within Levy County established from the 1800s until the 1900s. A few of the turpentine camps were Rodgers Turpentine Company, Suwannee Turpentine Company, Bronson Naval Stores, Wylly Turpentine Company, Bullard Naval Stores, Lebanon Turpentine Company, and Red Level. Turpentine provided work year-round for workers doing different jobs.

    The farmers of Levy County grew many vegetables, including corn, peanuts, cantaloupes, and watermelons. The Chiefland Watermelon Festival is held each year in Chiefland, and everyone looks forward to seeing the parade and the watermelon queen. Watermelons are shipped from Chiefland to many areas of the country.

    The train, arriving in 1915, also played a major role in Levy County’s history. The train currently does not run through Chiefland, and the tracks have even been removed. The train depot has been turned into a museum. Chiefland was the shipping center for turpentine, livestock, timber, watermelons, and other goods. It is said that Chiefland was originally called the land of the chiefs. Many arrowheads and artifacts are still being found in Levy County, which is a sure sign of the chiefs’ existence.

    Gulf Hammock was a well-organized community. The hospital was constructed in 1926. The sawmill was believed to be the biggest in the South; it employed about 700 people out of about 1,500. Gulf Hammock also had a commissary that was always well stocked to serve the community and others from nearby towns and small communities. There is a small train on display on Highway 19 in Gulf Hammock as a reminder of the past.

    Bronson was named in honor of the territorial judge Isaac Hopkins Bronson in 1802. The courthouse that serves the county is located in Bronson, Florida.

    Cedar Key is a small, beautiful island. In the 19th century, Cedar Key was one of the most populated centers in Florida. A brush factory was located there. The island is well known for its fishing and boating excursions, and many people made their living by fishing. The island also attracts visitors for the annual Cedar Key Seafood Festival and Cedar Key Art Festival. The Cedar Key Historical Museum has wonderful reminders of the past, and it also pays tribute to a great historian and photographer with the Lindon Lindsey Library. The island is the perfect getaway with art galleries, shops, cottages, and hotels. The romantic atmosphere is delightful.

    Williston, founded by Jessie Mercer Willis and Dorothy Willis, is known for its peanut crops. During the 1900s, Williston also grew cucumbers that were shipped by train. Williston is also referred to as horse country with its beautiful landscaped countryside and horses grazing in the fields. The Williston Women’s Club hosts many events. Williston is known for its annual peanut festival. Williston Manufacturing housed the first electric telephone in the county around 1912. There was also a sawmill located in Williston. The turpentine industry is gone and so is the old train.

    The stories of the past are still shared and happily told to young ones and visitors alike. The woods

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