Rainbow Springs, Florida

Rainbow Springs is a first-magnitude artesian spring formation in Marion County, Florida, USA, several miles north of the city of Dunnellon, Florida. Rainbow Springs is the focal point of Rainbow Springs State Park. The spring formation is the fourth-largest in Florida, and produces over 490 million gallons of water daily. Rainbow Springs forms the headwaters of the Rainbow River, which empties into the Withlacoochee River.

History

Rainbow Springs was known as Wekiwa Creek by the Seminole indians.

It was known as Blue Springs until the 1930s, when the site was developed as a tourist attraction and the promoter sought a more distinctive name (there are several other springs in Florida named "Wekiwa" and "Blue"). To compete with the "glass bottom boats" of nearby Silver Springs, Florida, submarine tours were given of the springs. As for some other Florida springs, such as Weeki Wachee Springs, "mermaid shows" were an attraction in the 1950s. The tourist attraction was forced to close in the 1970s.

The entire Rainbow River was designated as a Registered Natural Landmark in 1972, an Aquatic Preserve in 1986, and an "Outstanding Florida Waterway" in 1987. The land around the headwaters of the springs remained privately owned until 1990, when the State of Florida acquired the springs and saved them from development. Much of the work to open Rainbow Springs State Park was done by volunteers from the community.

External links

* [http://www.floridastateparks.org/rainbowsprings Rainbow Springs State Park]
* [http://www.floridamemory.com/Collections/folklife/folklife_cd.cfm 1950s Recording of a Rainbow Springs boat driver (from the Florida Folklife Collection CD, available for public use from the Florida State Archives)]