|
| |
Welcome
to the Suwannee County Museum
|
| |
Located
on N. Ohio Avenue / US 129, Live Oak, Florida. Just north of
the railroad tracks.
|
|
|
|
Stop
by and see history come alive as you step into the Suwannee County
Historical Museum. You will see an extensive telephone display, local
artifacts,a moonshine distillery, a Timucaun Indian Village recreation
and much more! The building
that houses the museum has historical significance in itself. The
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad constructed an immense brick freight
station in approximately 1902. |
|
|
The
freight station was used to its capacity and many early residents
remember
seeing hundreds of cotton bales
and other crops lined up for blocks waiting to be shipped out.
The depot sat empty and in disrepair for several years. In
1991 a new breath of life was breathed into this historic
structure. After
many renovations
were completed, the facility was occupied by
the Suwannee County Historical Museum in 1993. The
presence of this historic building is a reminder of the time
when Live
Oak was the fifth largest city in Florida.
The lumber industry, naval stores, cotton production, ginning,
and the railroads, made the city a thriving place. Little is
left that speaks of those days, but the building and the museum
it houses certainly do. Its very presence is a testimony to
the vision and dedication of the early citizens of Suwannee
County.
As a constant reminder of the way things were, this structure
was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Changes
to the building were kept to a minimum to meet code for public
use. Bay doors were sealed from the outside,
but hang on the interior. The flooring is the original 2x6
pine plank floor and the interior walls are unpainted brick.
Two of
the freight doors were converted to conventional double doors.
Heat and air conditioning and a fire sprinkler system were
installed. All pipes and ducts are exposed and electrical
wiring is in conduit, in an effort to
maintain the nature of
|
| |
|
the building.
The overall structure, including the former freight office space
covers approximately 5400 square feet. The freight depot also
includes the original loading dock located at the rear of the
structure. It is used for special events and available
for rental for weddings
and other special occasions. |
 |
| |
|
Information and photo taken from
the May, 2008 edition of the Suwannee Freight Line published by
the Suwannee County Historical Museum Association. |
|