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North Port, Florida
North Port isn’t trying to be the next Miami or Tampa Bay. While coastal Florida builds up and out, this laid-back city between Sarasota and Fort Myers is growing its own way.
This pocket of the Sunshine State is built inland around natural springs, state forests, and quiet neighborhoods. Here are some of our favorite things about the beautiful North Port.
A Deep Spring With Healing Waters
Warm Mineral Springs reaches 245 feet deep and stays at 85 degrees throughout the year. People discovered ancient human remains and tools in the spring that are more than 10,000 years old.
The spring contains bones from Ice Age animals like saber-tooth cats and giant sloths, along with remains of early hunters. Every day, 9 million gallons of water flow from the spring, bringing up more than 50 minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
Early Native Americans Built Canal Networks
The land around North Port has one of Florida’s oldest canal systems, which Native Americans built years ago. They dug these waterways by hand using shells and wooden tools to connect different areas where they lived.
These canals helped people travel and trade with nearby communities. You can still see parts of these ancient waterways today, especially near Myakkahatchee Creek.
Thousands of Acres of Protected Land
The Carlton Reserve spreads across 24,000 acres of wild Florida landscape that locals call ‘The Big Scrub.’ This vast area provides a home for rare Florida scrub-jays, along with wetlands and pine forests that shelter more than 100 types of birds and mammals.
Animals like gopher tortoises and white-tailed deer roam freely through the reserve. Visitors can explore 80 miles of trails, whether they want to hike, ride horses, or cycle through untouched Florida wilderness.
World War II Bunkers Lie Underground
Hidden beneath North Port’s neighborhoods are concrete bunkers from World War II. The military built these storage spaces between 1942 and 1945 to keep ammunition safe.
They chose this spot because it was far from cities but close enough to the Gulf Coast to be useful. While construction has covered most of these bunkers, some remain intact under the modern streets and houses.
Ancient Shark Teeth Fill the Creeks
Millions of years ago, North Port lay under an ancient sea, and today its creeks hold countless prehistoric shark teeth. People often find teeth from the massive Megalodon shark, which could grow up to 7 inches long.
The waters around Myakkahatchee Creek are especially rich in fossils from ancient tiger sharks and makos. After heavy rains, the creeks often reveal new specimens that washed out of the banks.
Perfect Weather for Year-Round Gardens
North Port’s location, 15 miles from the coast, creates ideal growing conditions throughout the year. The well-draining sandy soil and the area’s elevation make it possible to grow many types of plants.
Gardens here can produce tropical fruits like mangoes and avocados in the same plots as regular vegetables. The growing season lasts for about 330 days, much longer than in nearby areas.
Ancient Artifacts Preserved in Little Salt Spring
Little Salt Spring goes down 245 feet and holds some of North America’s most important underwater discoveries. The spring’s special water keeps ancient items from breaking down, including wooden tools and woven materials from Florida’s first people.
Scientists have found spear points and even a 7,000-year-old burial cloth made from woven plants. These objects help us understand how people lived in prehistoric Florida.
A Wild River Runs Through the City
The Myakka River flows for a total of 72 miles through North Port and holds a special title as Florida’s only Wild and Scenic River. Dead leaves from oak and cypress trees turn the water dark, creating what’s known as a blackwater river.
You might spot manatees, alligators, or some of the 250 bird species that live along the river. Federal protection keeps 34 miles of the river in its natural state.
Bats Help Control Mosquito Population
The city has built special houses that stand 20 feet tall to give homes to Brazilian free-tailed bats and evening bats. Thousands of these helpful animals live in these structures throughout North Port.
Each bat can eat up to 1,200 mosquitoes every hour, and whole colonies consume millions of insects each night. This natural pest control means the city needs fewer chemical sprays.
Springs Connect to Underground Water Systems
Several springs bubble up from the Florida Aquifer system beneath North Port. These springs stay between 72 and 85 degrees all year long.
Rare animals like the Florida cave crayfish and blind cave salamanders live in these dark, mineral-rich waters. The springs push millions of gallons daily through limestone that formed many millions of years ago.
Protected Areas for Native Plants
Special zones throughout the city protect endangered plants that naturally grow in southwest Florida. These areas keep safe various orchids, air plants, and ancient cycads that have grown here since prehistoric times.
Careful management, including controlled fires and removal of invasive plants, keeps these rare species alive. These protected spaces have saved plants like the Florida coontie, which almost disappeared in the early 1900s.
Ancient Native American Sites
Protected areas across North Port preserve shell mounds, burial grounds, and village sites from as far back as 5000 BCE. These sites contain some of the best-preserved ancient Native American buildings in southern Florida.
Before any new construction can start in these zones, archaeologists must check the area and set up protection measures. Research continues to reveal new information about how prehistoric people lived and traded.
Modern Systems Control Water Flow
North Port uses 42 special gates and structures to manage water throughout the city. This system keeps wetlands healthy while protecting against floods during rainy seasons.
These structures can control water flow from 100 to 10,000 gallons per minute. This careful management helps both the city and its natural areas thrive during wet and dry times.
The post This Old Florida City Guards a 10,000-Year-Old Warm Spring Where Prehistoric Humans Once Gathered appeared first on When In Your State.
