Econchattimico's Reserve page now online at www.twoeggfla.com

I have another new page up at on the main Two Egg, Florida website. This one deals with the little known Indian reservation that was located about 9 miles southeast of Two Egg during the 1820s and 1830s.

You can check it out at www.twoeggfla.com/econchattimico.

The reservation was established under the terms of the Treaty of Moultrie Creek in 1823. Econchattimico, a title which translates roughly to "Red Ground King," was the leader of a band of several hundred Lower Creeks who lived on the west side of the Chattahoochee River. The reservation, which covered 4 square miles, ran along the river from about the point where today's Butler Road intersects with River Road and then north for four miles. Much of the original site is now covered by Lake Seminole, but perhaps 25% of the actual land remains above water. The site of Econchattimico's town, Tocktoethla, however, is now beneath the lake.

The chief and his people lived on the reservation until 1838, when they were removed at gunpoint by U.S. troops led by Colonel (and later President) Zachary Taylor. They were forced west to new homes in the Indian Nations of what is now Oklahoma, despite the fact that they had been promised "permanent" possession of the lands near Two Egg.

To learn more about this unique historic site, please visit www.twoeggfla.com/econchattimico. You can also read the complete story of Econchattimico and his people in The History of Jackson County, Florida: The Early Years.

Blue Spring page online at www.twoeggfla.com

I'm working on my Two Egg, Florida website some this week and the first of a series of new pages is now online.

It focuses on Blue Spring, a Jackson County landmark for hundreds if not thousands of years. Most people don't realize it, but one of the first places in the county described by early Spanish explorers was Blue Spring. They called it "Calutoble" or "Calistoble" and marveled at its size and the clarity of the water. One, a Franciscan missionary named Rodrigo de la Barreda, noted in 1693 that herds of buffalo grazed in the prairies surrounding the spring and that bear, deer and other animals lived in the woods.

Andrew Jackson stopped at the spring in 1818, by which time it was known as the "Big Spring" of the Chipola. His army of more than 1,000 men camped there while marching from Fort Gadsden on the Apalachicola River to Pensacola.

A major Confederate camp was located at the spring in 1862-1865 and it was also a popular place for picnics, baptisms, fishing and swimming. Today it is a well-known recreation area that is open to the public in late spring and early summer.

To visit the new page, please go to www.twoeggfla.com/bluespring.

A Bit of Consumer Advice from Two Egg, Florida

I was browsing through Amazon.com today and noticed that some people and/or companies are reselling copies of my various books for some pretty astronomical prices. Here are some examples.

• Two Egg, Florida - $21.36 (Retails for $16.95)
• Battle of Marianna - $34.97 (Retails for $19.95)
• Battle of Natural Bridge -$19.75 (Retails for $19.95)
• History of Jackson County, Florida: The Early Years - $51.77 (Retails for $24.95)
• Early History of Gadsden County, Florida - $51.77 (Retails for $24.95)

Amazon provides a service that lets other firms or individuals resell books through their website. And honestly, I have no problem with anyone making a profit, but I hate the thought of a reader paying $51.77 for a book that they can buy brand new for $24.95.

If you want any of my books for Christmas gifts, I suggest you buy them from the official site at www.exploresouthernhistory.com/dalecox. Amazon now services all orders there and you can get new copies at the best price available. Signed copies of The History of Jackson County, Florida: The Early Years are also available at Chipola River Book and Tea in Downtown Marianna.

Best,

Dale Cox

Jackson County books available for Christmas

If you are looking for unique gifts this holiday season, don't forget the books Two Egg, Florida and The History of Jackson County, Florida: The Early Years.

Both are available online for immediate purchase at http://www.amazon.com/ and autographed copies are available in Marianna at Chipola River Book & Tea (on Lafayette Street, directly across from the Battle of Marianna monument).

I also expect to have news next week on the release of the second volume of the Jackson County set, which will be titled The History of Jackson County, Florida: The Civil War Years. If you would like to receive an email as soon as it is available, just drop me a note by visiting www.twoeggfla.com/contactus and I'll be glad to keep you informed.

And, if you are looking for something to do now that the cool weather of winter is spreading across the South, be sure to visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com. A sister site to this blog and to www.twoeggfla.com, it features photographs and details information on a wide array of historic sites and natural wonders in Florida and across the South!

Annual Oak Grove Homecoming in Old Parramore set for Next Weekend

The popular annual Oak Grove Homecoming in Old Parramore will take place next Sunday, October 4, 2009.

This event brings the long faded "ghost town" of Parramore back to life on the first Sunday in October of each year. Although the area was settled long before the War Between the States, the town of Parramore actually grew at the intersection of today's Oak Grove and Parramore roads during the years after the war when former soldiers and former slaves made homes for themselves in the piney woods. By 1890, Parramore had become a thriving community based on its status as an important port for the paddlewheel riverboats that then navigated the Chattahoochee River.

By the decade between 1900 and 1910, Parramore featured several stores, a sawmill, gristmill, cotton gin, blacksmith shop, post office, turpentine operations, several steamboat landings, schools, churches and more. When the riverboat traffic began to fade in the 1920s, however, the town started to fade as well. By 1950, only abandoned buildings, a scattering of families and ruins remained.

People will start gathering for the event at around 9 or 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 4th, and plans for the day include a historical discussion, special music and dinner on the grounds. I'll post more information over coming days, but the event is open to the public and anyone with an interest in the Parramore area is invited!

Confederate Veterans to be honored at Cox Reunion

This year's annual Cox Family Reunion will have a unique feature. The Theophilus West Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans will be on hand to unveil markers and pay tribute to three Confederate veterans buried at Circile Hill Cemetery.

The annual reunion takes place at the Circle Hill Baptist Church Fellowship Hall on the first Saturday after the 4th of July each year. Cox relatives from across the country and occasionally even from overseas show up to share conversation and memories.

This year's event will begin at 11:30 a.m. this Saturday with ceremonies to honor the three Confederate veterans buried at Circle Hill. One of these has never had a headstone of any kind. I'll take a closer look at all three over the coming days.

New History of Jackson County now available at Amazon.com

The History of Jackson County, Florida: Volume One is now available for online purchase at Amazon.com. The book went into national release this weekend and is now stocked by Amazon and is available for immediate delivery.

Please click here for ordering information.

This book is volume one of what will eventually be a three volume set on the history of the county. It covers events from the years from before the Civil War and covers topics such as early Spanish missions, the American Revolution in Jackson County, the First and Second Seminole Wars, the Battle of Ekanachatte, Scott's Massacre, the Ghost of Bellamy Bridge, Marianna vs. Webbville, crime and punishment, the Calhoun County War, the Trail of Tears, the early steamboat era and more.

Another recent book -The Early History of Gadsden County - is also now available at Amazon.com.