Exits 142

Get Off 10!
Florida’s
RiverWay South
Country
Discover the land, people, and unforgettable places
shaped by the Apalachicola and Choctawhatchee Rivers
Explore 15 Scenic Drives
through Northwest Florida’s
Beauty, Bounty, Culture,
and Secret Places
Exit #7 142-152 South
Acknowledgments
RiverWay South Board of Directors
Homer Hirt, President
John Alter, Jackson County; Jim Bagby, South Walton County TDC; Jim Brook,
Opportunity Florida; Bruce Ballister, Apalachee Regional Planning Council; Curt
Blair, Franklin County TDC; Julia Bullington, Holmes County TDC; Dr. Jim Froh,
Chipola College; Pam Fuqua, Jackson County TDC; Lee Garner, Gadsden County
TDC; Melinda Gates, Walton County; Jerrie Lindsey, Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission; Heather Lopez, Washington County TDC; Kristy Terry,
Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce; John Thornton, West Florida Electric
Cooperative; Robert Voss, Calhoun County; Betty Webb, City of Apalachicola
Pamela Portwood, Project Director
Staff
Credits
Diane Delaney and Don Lesh, Applied Sustainability Enterprises – Conceptual
Design, Text, and Photographs
Rex Adams, Adams Graphics – Graphic Design and Production
Peter Kraft – Mapping
Additional Photographs were provided by: RiverWay South Member Counties,
Northwest Florida Water Management District, Andy Wraithmell and Mark Keiser,
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Eleanor Dietrich, Florida
Wildflower Foundation
Exits 142-152 South
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A Native American town bisected by
two rivers with a heritage village and a
railroad nicknamed “Many Bumps”
Grand
Ridge
Exit 142
90
Cypress
73
10
Distance/Time
71
77 miles/Allow 4-5 hours to drive the
tour and visit the attractions
Exit 152
Main Attractions
5
Altha
274
JACKSO N COUNTY
CALHOU N COUNTY
Worth the Stop
J.P.
Peacock Rd.
69
Chason
icola
1
1. Look and Tremble Rapids & Park
2. Tavern on the Hill Restaurant
3. Rivertown Mercantile
3. Blountstown Mural
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al a ch
71
Ap
4. Panhandle Pioneer Settlement
3. Historic Calhoun County Courthouse
3. Marianna & Blountstown (M&B) Train and Depot Museum
5. Ocheesee Creamery
Chipola
Exit #7
142 - 152
South
Drive Snapshot
Water Access
Neal Landing - Apalachicola River
Johnny Boy Landing - Chipola River
Scotts Ferry Landing - Chipola River
3
275
Blountstown
2 4
20
20
River St.
Bristol
Trails
Blountstown Greenway & Florida
National Scenic Trail
12
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Information Resources
Rwsfl.org, Calhounco.org, Visitflorida.
com, Panhandlepioneer.org, Cljnews.
com, Thecountyrecord.net, Dep.state.fl.us,
Floridapaddlingtrails.com, Floridatrail.org
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6
0
Miles
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Exits 142-152 South
Self-Guided Tour
Driving Directions
The City of Blountstown is
named for John Blount, the
Seminole Indian Chief who
guided General Andrew
Jackson’s invasion into
Spanish Florida in 1818.
This invasion caused the
United States to purchase
Florida from Spain and
the territory became a
part of the U.S. in 1821.
John Blount was rewarded
for his services with a
visit to Washington, D.C.
to visit the President. In
1823, he was granted a
reservation along the west
side of the Apalachicola
River. However, the U.S.
government later reversed
its treaty, transported the
tribe to Texas, and sold
the land to speculators for
cotton production.
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From Exit 142 take SR 71 South toward
Altha past large farms and Dolomite
facilities. In Altha (11 miles),
turn right on CR 274 West. This
is a very scenic section of rolling
hills and wildflowers. At mile
13.5, access the Chipola River
at Johnny Boy Landing, a nice
county facility. Continue 1.4
miles to the Willis Bridge over
the Chipola River. Turn into the
parking lot on the north side of the river
for views of the Chipola River. To reach
the Look and Tremble Rapids, follow
the unpaved access road from the picnic
area south for 0.9 miles until you see the
shoals on your left. The best views of the
rapids occur when water levels are not too
high. Return east on CR 274 for 1 mile/mile
17.5 and turn right onto J.P. Peacock Road,
passing the Edenfield Cemetery on the
right. In 1.8 miles/mile 19.3, turn right onto
SR 71 south to enter Blountstown.
If you’re hungry, turn right at mile 28.2
into the Harvey’s Shopping Center to
reach the Tavern on the Hill restaurant.
Continue south on SR 71 for 0.7 miles
to visit the M & B Railroad and Depot
Museum (on the left). This is also a
good access point for the celebrated
Blountstown Greenway on the Florida
National Scenic Trail. Head left for scenic
views of the Apalachicola River and
surrounding forest. Head right to view
wooded streams and wildflowers in the
upland portion ending at the Panhandle
Pioneer Settlement. Continue south
on SR 71 for 0.2 miles. The Blountstown
Mural is on the left at the intersection
with SR 20.
Turn right on SR 20 and travel west
for 1.3 miles/mile 30.3 to visit the
Panhandle Pioneer Settlement. To
continue to Scotts Ferry Landing on
the lower Chipola River with access
to the Dead Lakes, head west on SR
20 for 5.2 miles and turn left onto
CR 275. This is a lovely forested drive
interspersed with fields and farms. At
mile 42.8 turn right on SR 71 South.
Scotts Ferry Landing with kayak/
canoe rentals, a general store, camping
and cabins are 2.9 miles ahead on the
right.
Return north on SR 71 for 12.7 miles/
mile 58.4 to re-enter Blountstown at
the intersection with SR 20. Turn right,
passing the Rivertown Mercantile
and other shops on the right and the
Historic Calhoun County Courthouse
on the left. In 0.2 miles turn right onto
River Street. Continue for 1.4 miles to
its end at Neal Landing (and terminus
of the Greenway Trail) on the
banks of the mighty Apalachicola
River.
The Dead Lakes are
accessed from Scotts
Ferry Landing. They were
formed when sand bars
created by the current of
the Apalachicola River
blocked the Chipola
River. The ensuing high
water killed thousands
of trees in the floodplain,
giving the area its name.
The uplands are covered
mainly by longleaf
pines, with Sweetbay,
Magnolia, and Cypress
trees bordering wetlands.
Return to SR 20 at mile 61.5
and turn left. To return to I-10,
continue to SR 71 and turn right/
north. In 0.5 miles/mile 62.3, take
the right fork/SR 69 toward Grand
Ridge, passing the library, civic center,
and high school on the right, followed
by a nice section of homes, fields, and
cattle ranches. In 8 miles, watch for
alpacas in a field on the left. In 3 miles/
mile 73.3 visit the Ocheesee Dairy &
Creamery on the right for fresh milk,
butter, and incredible ice cream.
Continue north on SR 71 for 3.7 miles/
mile 77 to Exit 152 and I-10.
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Exits 142-152 South
Self-Guided Tour
Main Attractions
Panhandle Pioneer
Settlement
The basin of the
Apalachicola River is
noted for its tupelo honey,
produced from the Tupelo
Gum tree that grows
profusely throughout
river swamps. Beehives
are placed on elevated
platforms along the
river’s edge from which,
during April and May, the
bees fan out through the
surrounding Tupeloblossom-laden swamps
and return with their
precious treasure. These
river valleys of northwest
Florida are the only
place in the world where
Tupelo honey is produced
commercially. Real Tupelo
honey is light amber in
color or light golden with
a greenish cast. The flavor
is delicious, distinctive,
and the honey will not
granulate.
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The Panhandle Pioneer Settlement
is a living-history museum with a
collection of 18 historic buildings,
dating from 1820 to the 1940s.
They are arranged on five acres to
replicate an idyllic farm community.
During the year, the Settlement is
home to numerous public events
and festivals, as well as classes on
the trades and crafts of the past.
The Settlement’s buildings have all
been restored and are open to the
public. Most have been decorated
with antiques to replicate what
they would have looked like in
their prime. Among its bona fide
treasures of historic preservation
are the three styles of log cabins
commonly built in Florida: the
round log, the split log, and the
dovetail log. There are animals for
the children to enjoy as well as an
old General Store. Anyone with a
love for old tools and equipment
must
visit the
Blacksmith
Shop,
Firehouse,
Methodist
Church,
and Doctor
Dowling’s
Office.
Marianna & Blountstown
(M&B’s) Train Depot Museum
For 63 years (1909-1972), the
Marianna and Blountstown Railroad
was Calhoun County’s
link to the commerce of
the nation. Until 1929, the
M&B (also affectionately
known as “Many Bumps”
or “Meat and Bread”)
provided passenger
service, carried mail,
agricultural products,
manufacturing goods,
and building products. In the early
years, logging spur lines extended
into remote areas of the county and
millions of board feet of long-leaf
pine lumber were shipped from
local sawmills. During its
operation, the 29-milelong line was Florida’s
shortest railroad.
Steam locomotive
#444 was in
operation when the
M&B’s first diesel
engine arrived in
1947 and rests today
on the exact
location of the
old M&B
roadbed.
Climb
aboard
the historic
locomotive
and
caboose and visit
the Depot Museum.
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Exits 142-152 South
Self-Guided Tour
Historic Calhoun County
Courthouse
In May 1903 the present
city of Blountstown was
chartered. The first Mayor,
Francis Marion Yon, had
mapped out the town
into streets, alleys, blocks
and lots. Yon’s plat is still
recognized as the first
area surveyed for the city.
In 1904 Calhoun County
Commissioners awarded
a contract to construct
the courthouse on Central
Avenue.
This 1904 Courthouse was designed
by architects Benjamin Bosworth and
Frank Lockwood
of Montgomery,
Alabama, and
is one of only
two Florida
courthouses
built in the
Romanesque
Revival style. The
courthouse was
used until 1973
when the new
courthouse was constructed. It has
been restored and placed on the
National Registry of Historic Places.
An onsite marker commemorates
the 1832 Treaty of Payne’s Landing
and is written in both English and
Muscogee Creek.
Worth the Stop
Rivertown Mercantile
88
20721 Central Avenue East,
Blountstown
This historic
building houses
a restaurant as
well as small
shops offering
collectibles,
specialty
grocery items,
art, gifts,
antiques, and
natural foods.
Tavern on the Hill
Facebook.com/tavernonthehill
17932 Main St North Suite 1,
Blountstown
A favorite casual dining
gastropub with nice atmosphere,
friendly service, and fine spirits.
Ocheesee Creamery
A small, three-generation dairy and
creamery with a storefront,
farm, and bottling tours. This
is the only dairy in the state
that makes its own butter.
The Creamery is bringing
back the healthy goodness
of whole milk and other dairy
products. Step back to a time
when cows grazed on pasture
land to get all of the benefits
of fresh air, sunlight, and fresh
green grass.
Studies show
that cows
with a primary
diet of fresh
grass produce
milk with five
times more
unsaturated
fat than cows
fed processed
grains. Be
sure to stop
in the store
and purchase
some of their
fabulous ice
cream, milk,
and other
products.
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Exits 142-152 South
Self-Guided Tour
Look and Tremble, Willis
Bridge over the Chipola
One of the most photographic shots
of the Chipola River is at the “Look
and Tremble” rapids,
which provide a real
adventure for experienced
paddlers. It is best visited
when the water level is
low. A nearby facility has
picnic tables.
Blountstown Mural
Side of the Diamond Corner at SR 20
and SR 71
Local artist Jeff Vickery
created this mural
depicting historic buildings
of Blountstown. The
centerpiece of the mural
is from an old colorized
postcard. Main Street
members helped select the
series of landmark buildings
included in the mural. Many
hope that the mural will
bring history alive, rekindle
memories and local pride, and
increase tourism to the region.
Water Access
Johnny Boy Landing
- Chipola River
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Follow the graded dirt
road to the banks of
the Chipola River. This
scenic landing is a good
put-in spot and has
portable toilets.
Neal Landing Apalachicola River
This landing is at the terminus
of River Street in Blountstown.
The facility has picnic
tables and benches with
an outstanding view of the
Apalachicola River.
Scotts Ferry Landing Chipola River
On the lower Chipola River,
this landing has a nice General
Store with kayak/canoe rentals,
camping, and cabins.
Trails
Blountstown Greenway
Portions of this 4-mile trail, which
connects the Pioneer Settlement
with the Apalachicola River, follow
the route of the former Marianna
and Blountstown Railroad (M&B).
A spur trail
heads north at
Franklin Street,
following
that street to
parallel with
CR 17; it ends
where CR 17
intersects with
11th Street.
The greenway
is part of the
larger Florida
National
Scenic Trail
system.
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A publication of RiverWay South Apalachicola Choctawhatchee, a
dynamic river-based rural tourism organization serving Calhoun,
Franklin, Gadsden, Holmes, Jackson, Walton, and Washington
Counties.
#Explore Our Florida
RWSFL.org
Funding provided by RiverWay Contributing Partners, the Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Florida
Department of Economic Opportunity