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!