Rail your way to the northwest corner of Alachua County, to a town that has maintained its small-town culture for almost 200 years – High Springs, FL.
Many articles that cover the virtues of their beloved towns focus on their rich histories and intriguing pasts. But, while our history is rich, High Springs’ focus is its breathtaking beauty – the things that have been drawing people here since the 1830s.
The Height of Heritage
The exquisite beauty of High Springs has allured settlers for hundreds of years, as it’s easily accessible to some of the most beautiful springs in the country. Settlers also saw it as a hub for the newest and fastest way to get from point A to point B – the railroad.
With our country booming and growing at lightning-fast rates, there needed to be more efficient ways to transport people and goods all over the United States. Thus, the birth of the railroad system coincided with the advent of many new towns along the tracks.
When the railway system had started really rolling and establishing itself, the little town of Santaffey, FL became a center point of the system known as the Plant System; comprised of the Savannah, Florida, and Western lines, Santaffey became the perfect spot for a headquarters. Finally, in the late 1800s, the town became a city, which became High Springs.
Having three powerful lines railing through town allowed the farmers of High Springs to send their goods out into the world. The commerce made the city do very well, and the discovery of phosphate and the subsequent mining helped it flourish more.
The Height of a Small Town
While the town of High Springs has gone through periods of evolution and growth, that growth has never diminished its small-town appeal. High Springs has worked diligently to keep the unique mindset of tradition and memories alive of a quieter time
Small towns often don’t get the love they deserve. Towns that work to keep “Main Street USA” as their motto are dwindling as our country advances swiftly along its highway of knowledge and innovation. Periodically you will come across a gem that remembers when while keeping up with the times.
The Railroad Center has kept its old-fashioned sense of nostalgia without becoming dusty and bland and irrelevant. There is much power in retaining the ability to relive yesteryear with today’s technology – and High Springs is a place that has that figured all out.
One of the best ways High Springs has been able to maintain its heritage is through the High Springs Museum. Not every Small Town, America has had the foresight to curate artifacts enough from even before its time, throughout its rich history, and to today – and share them with their community.
The Height of Things to Do
Where past meets present is the heights we are soaring now. Today, you have the ability to take a vacation to our humble beginnings without having to live there – but living here, in the now, certainly has its benefits.
Our little corner of Alachua County is a place where blue waters, warm springs, and exciting hidey holes are yours to explore. A town that embraces the natural beauty that surrounds it with a sense of adventure and wanderlust fulfillment is the place to live when you are a friend of nature.
Quench your thirst for the great outdoors by taking a dip in any one of the brilliant springs we have here. For the serious water explorers, Ginnie Springs is the place to be. Freshwater scuba diving allows our water babies to dive deep and go in search of the perfect underwater cavern to offer jaw-dropping awes.
For the animal lovers of the group, Blue Springs is your hot spot. Depending on the time of year, you can be found snorkeling or floating the Springs, eye-spying with your little eye a wide variety of animal life like wading birds, wild hog, and maybe a gator or two. But the colder months are when things really heat up around these parts.
The manatees make their glorious return in the winter months, and we are offered the opportunity to get to see these highly protected and beloved sea cows where they can stay protected, especially at Blue Springs. These sweet creatures make our home an even better place to call home, and we are proud to celebrate them.
Maybe you are looking for some adventure that doesn’t involve a bathing or wet suit? Time to put on your hiking shoes! Many of the area’s springs like Poe and Blue have excellent trails around them that offer hikers, joggers, and bikers plenty to enjoy.
In town, do a different kind of exploring by taking in the Farmer’s Market or any quaint antique shops we are famous for. All over Alachua County, you can’t throw a rock without hitting the beacon of art, history, and culture. Whether it’s local shops that keep small businesses thriving or lively nightlife, bursting with flavors of the South, High Springs and the surrounding communities are “what’s good!”
The Height of What We Love About High Springs
What would High Springs be without community? While we aren’t the largest town in Alachua County, the one with the most enormous skyscrapers or the House of Mouse, our small piece of heaven houses a close-knit community that we are all proud to call home.
Premier Lawn Care remains humbled to serve our community with fast and reliable services. Our commitment to keeping up the beauty of High Springs, Gainesville, and Alachua an integral part of what makes this area unique is in everything we do.
We offer the spirit of community, the customer service you’ve always dreamed of, and the professionalism you deserve. Our services in lawn maintenance, irrigation, mulch, lawn treatments, and much more are guaranteed to delight every customer – they are genuinely Premier.
