The Story and History of the Great Cypress Trees
In the early part of the 20th century, gargantuan bald cypress trees dominated the swampy lowlands of what is now Chassahowitzka WMA. Trees with diameters of 16 feet were not uncommon.
However, at a time when trees were seen mainly for their financial potential, the ancient forests were doomed. A boom town named Centralia sprung up around one of the largest logging mills to ever exist in Florida.
Centralia existed for seven years before the mill became unprofitable due to the lack of available trees. Fifteen hundred people lost their jobs and nature began to reclaim the site.
Today, intrepid visitors can discover this history for themselves. Hidden among cabbage palms and pines sits the Centralia town site. Trees and vines cover concrete foundations and slowly-rotting cypress trunks decay slowly in the old float pond.
In the early part of the 20th century, gargantuan bald cypress trees dominated the swampy lowlands of what is now Chassahowitzka WMA. Trees with diameters of 16 feet were not uncommon.
However, at a time when trees were seen mainly for their financial potential, the ancient forests were doomed. A boom town named Centralia sprung up around one of the largest logging mills to ever exist in Florida.
Centralia existed for seven years before the mill became unprofitable due to the lack of available trees. Fifteen hundred people lost their jobs and nature began to reclaim the site.
Today, intrepid visitors can discover this history for themselves. Hidden among cabbage palms and pines sits the Centralia town site. Trees and vines cover concrete foundations and slowly-rotting cypress trunks decay slowly in the old float pond.
Hidden Secrets of Florida WMAs
By Peter Kleinhenz
If you have spent more than a couple hours exploring natural Florida, chances are that you’ve had a “wow moment.” Maybe it was that instant when you turned a corner and a view you couldn’t believe unfolded in front of you or when a creature you didn’t expect to see crossed your path. The complex biodiversity and human history of the state ensures that properties encompassing significant swaths of nature contain plenty of “wow” material. Take, for instance, Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area.
If you have spent more than a couple hours exploring natural Florida, chances are that you’ve had a “wow moment.” Maybe it was that instant when you turned a corner and a view you couldn’t believe unfolded in front of you or when a creature you didn’t expect to see crossed your path. The complex biodiversity and human history of the state ensures that properties encompassing significant swaths of nature contain plenty of “wow” material. Take, for instance, Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area.
