What reader of Bartram’s Travels has not longed to follow in the wake of William’s boat as it made its way up the St. Johns River, or to hike or ride horseback along the path he followed from Spalding’s Lower Store near Palatka to Paine’s Prairie outside of Gainesville?
Although scenery may have changed dramatically in the nearly 250 years since his first visit to Florida, the path remains, and thanks to the work of scholars, historians, and Bartram enthusiasts, the path is easier to follow today than ever before.
The Heritage Corridor
The National Bartram Trail is being created as Heritage Corridor. The Corridor encompasses all of the land 25 miles either side of the best approximation of the actual routes followed by William Bartram. Within Florida, the corridor includes routes taken by John and William Bartram in 1765 as well as those taken by William Bartram in 1774.
Many of the routes, especially those which followed waterways, have been mapped quite accurately. Routes which are less well documented have been mapped by connecting the “dots” of known locations visited by Bartram as well as historical records of roads and hunting paths known to have been in use during Bartram’s visits.
Welaka, Palatka, Crescent City, Georgetown, and more. Visit the website to learn more.