In 1857, Louis Thursby and his family arrived as one of the area’s first European inhabitants. He erected an orange orchard and a dock for passing steamships in the hopes of becoming wealthy by being close to the river.

The Thursby mansion has been restored to its original condition at the turn of the twentieth century, capturing Florida at a critical juncture between frontier and modern state.

Despite the fact that the Thursby home is reaching its 150th birthday, it is still relatively new in comparison to the area’s long history. Archaeological excavations at Blue Spring State Park and adjoining Hontoon Island State Park have uncovered roughly 6,000 years of Native American occupation.

In fact, the Thursby mansion was built on top of a shell midden, which was a valuable archaeological site. A midden, also known as a mound, is a vast pile of waste that prehistoric societies left behind. They sometimes only left plain garbage and rubbish piles. Other middens were built for a specific reason, such as ceremonial purposes or to raise a structure.

Many middens may be found in Blue Spring State Park, and archaeologists have learnt a lot about the people who lived here by researching them. Midden artifacts reveal information about prehistoric people’s food, burial customs, crafts, agriculture, trade, settlement patterns, and environmental use.

The Thursby mansion has been converted into a museum and informative center. Blue Spring State Park is a time capsule for a bygone period, with everything from steamships to railroads and candles to electric lamps. Inquire about the park’s middens and other archaeological sites with a ranger.