The 1800s brought waves of settlers into interior Florida. The riverways allowed easier travel than dense forests and sandy roads, making Camp Mack’s future location attractive to pioneers. Homesteading and River Cabins Settlers built basic cabins near elevated riverbanks, choosing locations that offered access to freshwater but protection from

The earliest human activity along the Astor Camp Mack River region dates back thousands of years. Various Indigenous cultures—including ancestors of the Timucua, the Ais, and later the Seminole—used the river as a source of food, transportation, and spiritual meaning. River-Based Food and Resources The river provided abundant fish such as gar

Introduction: A River Shaping Centuries of Change The story of Astor Camp Mack River unfolds along one of Florida’s most influential waterways. The river channels that feed the region—connected to the St. Johns basin and the marshlands north of Lake Wales—have shaped human life for hundreds of years. While the modern name blends heritage, re

Throughout its history, Blue Creek Southmoon accumulated countless personal stories that shaped how people view the region. Citrus Families and Multigenerational Ties Descendants of the original settlers still share memories of picking oranges at dawn, watching winter fog settle over the creek, and celebrating harvest seasons with neighbors. Rec