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s o u t h e r n h i s t o r i c a
l a n d p a r a n o r m a
l s o c i e t y
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Waddell's Mill Pond |
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Jackson County, Florida
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(N30° 52.35¢ W85° 20.40¢)
is at the head of a mile long mill pond that discharges E. to Waddell's
Mill Creek, and thence to the Chipola River, 4 miles further. By land,
the pond is near the intersection of Hwy. 231 & 73. The land itself
is private, so access is only available through the creek system. This
area is on the National Register of Historic places and was frequented
by Chatot Indians.
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Archaeological research
here has revealed the presence of two mounds, a palisaded village site
and cave habitations dating from the last century or two before the
arrival of the Spanish in Florida. The people who occupied these sites
undoubtedly were the ancestors of the Chacatos or Chatot (not to be
confused with the Choctaw), who lived along the upper Chipola River
during the 16th and 17th century. The Waddell's Mill Pond Site has
been partially excavated and is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places.
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There has been some
speculation that the 17th century Spanish mission of San Carlos de
Chacatos might have been located adjacent to the large cave at
Waddell's Mill Pond. Franciscan missionaries established this church
in 1674 at a Chacato village somewhere west of the Chipola River.
Research at the site, however, has thus far failed to reveal any
evidence of a historic Spanish presence.
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In
1680, missionaries established a new doctrina or mission post in this
village, naming the establishment San Carlos de
Chacatos after the earlier mission west of the Chipola.
Consisting of a church and surrounding village, this establishment stood
on the site of today's West Bank Overlook adjacent to the Apalachee
Correctional Institution
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The Waddell's Mill
Pond area began its second important historical phase in 1821 when
Florida was transferred to the United States from Spain. Coming down
the "Spring Creek Trail," early settlers drifted across the
line from Alabama into this part of Jackson County even before the
official transfer. Since the spring that now feeds the pond created a
free-flowing stream with plenty of water, a string of farms quickly
developed along its course. At one of these, owned by the "widow
Russ," the first court of Jackson County met shortly after the
county was established in 1823
Credits
http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/waddells.html
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Ancient
Settlement
Overhead shot of the 2 existing mound structures
and ancient circular settlement
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Quarry
Pond
Taken from Safari Rd.
overlooking Quarry Pond. 5th picture shows a cave entrance to top of
mound.
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Entrance
to Mill Pond
Taken from Safari
Road. This is private property. Tresspassing is unlawful and
prohibited |
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Historical Building
South of Safari Rd on Union Road.
There is the Historical Building and a Church with a cemetery outback.
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Questions
or Comments please email me
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