Native people known as the Mayaca lived near what is now known as De Leon Springs for at least 6,000 years before Spanish missions were established in the area in the late 1500s. Mounds and two ancient canoes have been found in the spring. The oldest canoe was carbon dated to about 4050 B.C., making it among the oldest canoes found in America.
Diver LL "Lucky" McGee examines a submerged piece of the dugout canoes found at De Leon Springs.
Indian mound at De Leon Springs circa 1890s.
1832 – The First Water-Powered Sugar Mill in Florida
The first water-powered sugar mill in Florida was built here in 1832 – some of the brickwork and machinery are preserved behind the restaurant.
Artist’s rendering of the old sugar mill at Spring Garden, contained in a booklet about the Ponce de Leon Springs Inn (1925). Florida Collection, State Library of Florida.
People posed on the water wheel, April 10, 1897.
Local residents on remains of Mill in the late 1800s.
Old Sugar Mill (no postmark).
Boaters near the Old Mill.
View of the water-wheel at De Leon Springs, 1930.
Late 1800s to early 1900s – Tourism Booms
By the late 1800s, the area had become a tourist destination, with a steamboat and railroad providing transportation. To attract tourists, local residents changed the name from Spring Garden to Ponce de Leon Springs and referred to the spring as the Fountain of Youth. The Ponce de Leon Springs Hotel and Casino was built in 1925 (“Casino” referred to a large room for events and dining, not gambling.) With only 14 rooms, it catered to wealthy northern visitors.
Advertisement for the Spring Garden House in The Florida Agriculturist, October 15, 1879.
Bath house (Spring), 1890.
Bathhouse on the Spring, 1896.
Entrance to De Leon Springs, 1913.
Baptism at the springs 1915.
Barn and equipment shed, 1918.
Bathers at the Springs, 1920.
Casino and lunch stand, 1924.
Ponce De Leon Springs Hotel & Casino.
De Leon Springs, 1934.
Postcard of De Leon Springs, 1935.
1950s - Ponce de Leon Springs
The property became one of over 100 roadside attractions in the state when it opened as “Ponce de Leon Springs” in 1953. It featured tropical gardens, a jungle cruise, a tram tour and a water-skiing elephant!
Canoeing, 1954.
Entrance to the park, 1954.
A statue of Ponce De Leon and a bathing beauty were photo opps at the old attraction at Ponce De Leon Springs State Park. Little Candace Berner O’Brien poses with the statue in 1954. Her mother was the model for the bathing beauty.
Bill Sourwalt and Beverly Fox prepared to dive, 1955.
Postcard of De Leon Springs.
Queenie the water skiing elephant in the 1960s.
1982 – De Leon Springs State Park
The property was operated as a private recreational park until 1982, when the state of Florida and Volusia County purchased 55 acres that became De Leon Springs State Park. Additional land purchased to protect the spring resulted in the park’s current size of 625 acres.
Excerpt of a 1985 map published by the Florida Department of Transportation showing the location of De Leon Springs State Park in relation to Orlando, Daytona Beach and Ocala.