Old Florida House at Salt Springs
There’s a miraculous spring in Marion County Florida called Salt Springs. There are certain minerals and trace elements in the cool turquoise water that can be found no where else in the United States. Across the street from Salt Springs is Lake Kerr. In 1900, a Marion County businessman who owned a timber and turpentine business constructed a lakeside home with heart of pine and cypress next to the lake. His name was Daniel Morgan and the large framed home was for his family. It had ten rooms with the kitchen and dining room separated from the main house.
When Daniel Morgan passed away Columbus Townsend purchased the house for his family’s summer home. Mr. Townsend the had the grand house moved from beside Lake Kerr to the land it sits on now adjacent to the Springs.
Moving the house was quite a feat which took about a year to complete. Locals say the movers felled large pine trees and used them as rollers, like the Egyptians, pulling the house with teams of oxen and cattle.
It must’ve been so nice living close to the Salt Springs on the hottest days of Summer. I can imagine sitting on those porches and watching the water shining blue-green in the distance.
What a wonderful house and location! Who owns it now? Thanks for sharing 😊
Someone had purchased it a few years ago to restore. I hope they’re taking care of it. Thank you so much! 🙂
Wow. The house by Salt springs is amazing. Built so well…pine and cypress wood so very long. There are cypress trees in Florida that are more thank a thousand years old. “The old general was one…look up the details….facinating.
Thank you, Mary Ann! 🙂
Can I go to the salt Springs and pay to get in there or is it private property?
Yes, you can pay to visit. saltspringsflorida.com 🙂
Is this a place where we can actually go and pay to get in the salt Springs? Or is this private property?
Yes, Salt Springs Recreation area in Marion County. saltspringsflorida.com 🙂
I absolutely love this beautiful site! Thank you so much for taking your time and knowledge to share with us.
Thank you so much Nancy. I really appreciate your kind words. 🙂