Bailey Mine
This is a video I put together from an area known as the Watermelon Pond Tract in Levy County. It is actually a section of Goethe State Forest but just not connected to the main part. There is a trailhead that can be found near the town of Archer known as Bailey Mine Trailhead.
If you study old maps of this area there is actually a mine here known as Bailey Mine. It was used for phosphate mining in the early 1900’s. On this adventure I set out to find the mine and see what else I could discover along the way. There was also turpentine operations in the area as well so I thought I may see some evidence from that.
There is a railroad line that was used back then, today it is abandoned and mostly overgrown. I figured if I could find that I could navigate my way towards Bailey Mine since the railroad went right to it.
I found the railroad line along one of the hiking trails and followed that for several miles, checking out some of the scenery and areas along the way. I did find some Herty cup fragments from the turpentine industry and took some time to explore that history as well.
I managed to follow the railroad line to where it ends at Bailey Mine. This mine is filled in with water so who knows how deep it really goes. The other mines I found in the area were dry so you could get a really good view of how much digging was going on and how deep they were. Back then you would’ve seen machinery all around these places. As I explored Bailey Mine I went along the bottom of it and circled around the entire mine.
I really enjoyed this adventure I had explored this area a few years before but wanted to return to see what else I may be able to uncover. The beauty and history of these places always keep you coming back for more. Check out my video to see my adventure, thanks!
Video of Bailey Mine at Watermelon Pond Tract in Levy County
Ocala National Forest is a scenic place to explore but also a place of rich history. Dating back around 11,000 years ago and through the first European colonization of the New World, several waves of cultures lived along the St. Johns River and along the lakes in is what is now the Ocala National Forest. The word “Ocala” is most likely derived from the Creek “ue-kiwv,” meaning “springs.” The Ocala National Forest is the land of many springs.
FLORIDA TRAILBLAZER 