Historic Sites

Overview and Background

Like many of the National Forests in the south, the Apalachicola NF began as some of "the lands nobody wanted" - land that had been cut-over, denuded, or farmed to exhaustion. Some parcels were acquired during the great depression when many people couldn't pay the taxes on their land. Other parcels were bought outright by Franklin D. Roosevelt's Resettlement Administration, a new deal program aimed at moving families to lands better suited for cultivation. President Roosevelt created the Apalachicola National Forest in 1936 on lands west of the Ochlockonee River, and in 1938 expanded it to include lands east of the Ochlockonee to give it the shape it has today.

Of course, people have been living on these lands since time out of mind. Prehistoric sites date back to Paleo-Indians 12,000 years ago, and Native Americans hunted these forests and fished the waters since before recorded history. They were here when the Spanish first explored Florida in the 1600s, and when the first white settlers built their "cracker" homesteads in the swamps and flatwoods. Their ways have come down to us in the use of fire to manage the forest and wildlife, and their language lives on in words like Apalachicola, Wakulla, and Ochlockonee.

There are few prehistoric sites of interest for visitors, but the Apalachicola contains some historic sites well worth visiting.

Langston House (Wakulla County)

Overview: An old farm homestead about a mile in from the Ochlockonee River, the Langston House is a great example of old cracker architecture in its original setting, built around the turn of the century (circa 1904), although the land has been farmed with the mid-1800s. It's provided important clues about the life of Florida's earliest, poorest settlers. It is not a restored building and is being left to deteriorate naturally, but is considered a protected site.

Directions: From Tallahassee, take State Route 20 west, then left onto State Route 375 heading south. Approximately 2 miles south of the intersection with Forest Highway 13, turn right at the sign for the Florida National Scenic Trail and park at the trailhead. A short trail will take you to the house.

Fees: none

Recreation Site Amenities: none

Ft. Gadsden (Franklin County)

Overview: The site of an old British fort on the Apalachicola River, Ft. Gadsden is notable as being the scene of a mass tragedy. The British-built fort posed a threat to any American vessels traveling the river. In the face of an imminent American attack, over 300 escaped and freed slaves and many local Indians took refuge in the fort. On July 27, Col. Duncan Clinch ordered his gunboat to fire on the fort. One of the early shots from the ship's guns landed on a ammunition shed inside the fort, resulting in a massive explosion which left only 33 survivors to tell the tale. Nothing remains of the fort except the rubble from the fort's stone walls. A short interpretive trail leads visitors around the site.

Directions: From Tallahassee, take State Road 20 west to Hosford, turn left on State Road 65. Follow SR 65 into Franklin County. Turn right onto Forest Road 129-B into historic Fort Gadsden.

Fees: none

General Information:

Small museum building with diorama of the fort.

Views of the Apalachicola River.

Recreation Site Amenities:

Short trail around the site of the 0ld fort

Vault toilet

Picnic shelter with tables

Former Bradwell Game Farm (Liberty County)

Overview: Located at the northern edge of the forest on State Highway 20, the former Bradwell Game Farm was a tract of private land acquired by the Forest Service in 1996. The previous landowner, Carl Bradwell, Sr. stocked deer and other small game for sport. This practice was discontinued upon his death. This 1,400 acre site is now a special quota hunting area. Some of the original buildings remain on site.

Directions: From Tallahassee, take State Route 20 across the Ochlockonee River. Look for a corrugated tin fence with graffiti marking the property boundary on the left. Turn left into the entrance. (No sign at entrance.)

Fees: none

General Information:

Hikers welcome.

Licensed vehicles allowed on main entrance road only.

Recreation Site Amenities:

none