Why Go "Way Down Upon the Suwannee River" at Chiefland, Florida

By Sheri Fresonke Harper, published Mar 11, 2008
Published Content: 127  Total Views: 66,896  Favorited By: 102 CPs
Rating: 4.6 of 5
Chiefland, Florida is one of those no place in America sort of towns that provide a convenient headquarters for exploring a region. This area is a fun place to explore southern style porches, rocking chairs, folks that say "he-ah" and ""y'all", Spanish moss, bass fisherman and counties that are dry on Sunday. Stephen Foster made the Suwannee River famous with his song, "Old Folks at Home" written in 1851. Another point in time that the Suwannee shows up in history is as the place that John Muir contracted malaria. The river is fed by a number of fresh water springs (See Picture 1) that are home to Manatee and a good 400 species of birds in season. In fact, the geology of the region is quite unique with an underlying base from when Florida split from Gondwanaland, a fault line running offshore, additional collapse along the river path, and limestone piled up from centuries of ocean action laying down shell. It is a premier region for finding fossils.

Accessing the Suwannee River is a wildlife lover's delight and a fun place to swim, even with crocodiles reported in the waters. Swimming with the manatee is a treat. Many people go and have never run into trouble. Even dark water portions of the river where it is stained with tannin and the crocodiles prefer can provide fun relief from the heat.

Why Go "Way Down Upon the Suwannee River" at Chiefland, Florida
Why Go

Figure 1 : Manatee Springs State Park, Florida

Credit: Sheri Fresonke Harper

Copyright: Sheri Fresonke Harper

Takeaways
  • Many marine and mammal fossils are found in the Suwannee River area.
  • Fresh water springs feed the Suwannee River and many Manatee visit.
  • Stephen Foster's song "Old Folks at Home" made the Suwannee River famous.
Did You Know?
Florida has 33 first magnitude springs that produces an average of 65 million gallons of water daily.
Comments
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I really want to sing the song now . . .

Posted on 03/26/2008 at 4:03:13 PM

 
I get confused about the two. They have both species at Ding Darling Natural Wildlife Reserve. Thanks for clarifying and you're welcome for the nice words. You're lucky to live there. :) Sheri

Posted on 03/24/2008 at 8:03:25 PM

 
:)

Posted on 03/24/2008 at 8:03:57 PM

 
I grew up in Chiefland and my entire family still lives there. It is a great place to explore nature. Many people enjoy scuba diving in the caves below the springs in and around Chiefland and there is nothing better than water skiing on the river on a hot summer day!! Thank you for the kind words about my hometown. (By the way, it's the alligator that inhabits the river, not the crocodile.)

Posted on 03/20/2008 at 7:03:56 PM

 
I have always wanted to see a Manatee in the wild. Very cool stuff...

Posted on 03/18/2008 at 6:03:44 AM

 
Enlightening but terrifying! Swimming in waters where there is even the small possibility of crocs really scares me!

Posted on 03/17/2008 at 9:03:53 PM

 
Makes me think of that old song about the river.

Posted on 03/16/2008 at 6:03:18 PM

 
This sounds like a great place to visit right now. We've had way too much snow and cold weather up here in NY. I could really use a nice vacation in sunny Florida!

Posted on 03/14/2008 at 9:03:06 PM

 
:)

Posted on 03/14/2008 at 12:03:10 PM

 
What a cool place! I'm going to have to check this out and indulge in a weekend trip. Great review, thanks for letting me know about Chiefland!

Posted on 03/13/2008 at 6:03:57 PM

 
this brings back memories of my crocodile infested waters canoe trips. I hope you will sing the suwanee song now, Sheri (lol)

Posted on 03/13/2008 at 11:03:18 AM

 
Beautiful pictures, Sheri.

Posted on 03/13/2008 at 9:03:56 AM

 
sounds great..why have I not heard of this place before after living In fla for so long...many thanks for the info

Posted on 03/11/2008 at 9:03:07 PM

 
Love Stephen Foster!!

Posted on 03/11/2008 at 8:03:22 PM

 
Those are some beautiful photos! Nice article too :)

Posted on 03/11/2008 at 6:03:50 PM

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