You’ll find Port Leon’s ghost town ruins near St. Marks, Florida, where a once-prosperous shipping port flourished from 1837 to 1843. Founded by Richard Keith Call, the town handled massive cotton shipments and featured twenty houses, sawmills, and warehouses. A devastating yellow fever epidemic in 1841 killed 139 residents, followed by a catastrophic hurricane with a 10-foot storm surge in 1843. The survivors relocated to Newport, leaving behind scattered remnants that tell a deeper tale of destruction and resilience.
Key Takeaways
- Port Leon was a thriving Florida port town founded in 1837 that processed cotton and served as a vital shipping hub.
- A devastating yellow fever epidemic in 1841 killed 139 residents and reduced the population from 450 to under 200.
- The town was completely destroyed by a catastrophic hurricane in 1843, with a 10-foot storm surge wiping out all structures.
- Survivors relocated four miles north to establish Newport, abandoning Port Leon after just six years of existence.
- Today, only scattered stone foundations and wooden pilings remain, with the site accessible through St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.
The Rise of a Bustling Port Town
The ambitious vision of Richard Keith Call, Florida’s territorial governor, gave birth to Port Leon in 1837 as a strategic shipping hub on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
You’ll find it was purposefully positioned two miles downstream from where the Wakulla and St. Marks Rivers meet, enabling deeper port development for large seagoing vessels.
The town quickly prospered as a vital trade center, with mule-drawn rail cars transporting goods between Tallahassee and the port.
The bustling port town grew to include twenty occupied houses, along with sawmills and warehouses supporting its commercial activity.
Yellow Fever’s Devastating Impact
Port Leon’s promising start as a bustling shipping hub came to an abrupt halt in 1841 when yellow fever struck the coastal community. The disease transmission began when an infected steamboat passenger arrived from Key West, triggering a devastating three-month epidemic that would forever alter the town’s trajectory. The outbreak mirrored the fate of St. Joseph’s decline just miles away that same year.
You’ll find these sobering statistics about the public health crisis:
- Population plummeted from 450 to fewer than 200 residents
- 139 people died and were buried in a now-lost cemetery south of Port Leon Creek
- Notable victims included Col. John B. Collins, merchant James Moore, and Rev. Philo Phelps
The epidemic’s severity was amplified by the region’s tropical climate, limited medical knowledge, and unsanitary conditions. Many survivors fled permanently, leaving Port Leon vulnerable to its eventual abandonment following a destructive hurricane years later. Doctors attempted to treat patients with toxic purgatives and bleeding, though these primitive medical practices often caused more harm than good.
Nature’s Final Blow: The Great Hurricane
When nature delivered its final devastating blow to Port Leon on September 13, 1843, a catastrophic hurricane released a 10-foot storm surge that would permanently alter the region’s future.
You’d find nothing left of the town after the waters receded – every structure had been obliterated, including homes, warehouses, and the railroad bridge that was pushed upriver by the surge’s force.
The hurricane aftermath was devastating: 14 people lost their lives, including 13 at the lighthouse and one town resident.
The coastal vulnerability of Port Leon proved fatal, forcing survivors to relocate 4 miles north to higher ground where they’d establish Newport.
This same storm would later reach Tallahassee with flooding and widespread destruction, marking one of the earliest recorded major hurricanes to impact the inland city.
The hurricane was part of an active 1843 Atlantic season that brought multiple devastating storms to the Florida coastline.
Today, only a 3.5-mile road leading to the St. Marks National Wildlife Visitor Center marks where this once-promising port town stood.
A Community’s Bold Decision to Relocate
Following the hurricane’s devastation in 1843, Port Leon’s survivors rallied together to make a crucial decision through democratic consensus – they’d abandon their ruined town and establish a new settlement on higher ground four miles upriver.
You’ll find that their chosen location near a sulfur spring offered natural protection from future storm surges while maintaining essential access to the St. Marks River for trade. The St. Marks customs house was relocated along with the townspeople, ensuring continued economic activity in the region. A devastating yellow fever epidemic had already weakened the town’s population two years prior to the hurricane.
This unified relocation effort demonstrated remarkable community resilience, as residents sacrificed their established homes to guarantee their collective survival and future prosperity.
Democratic Vote for Change
After a devastating hurricane obliterated their coastal settlement in 1843, the residents of Port Leon made a remarkable democratic decision that would reshape their community’s future.
You’ll find their display of community resilience particularly inspiring, as they chose public participation over abandonment. Situated in what is now Wakulla County, Florida, Port Leon’s strategic position had initially promised a bright future for the settlement.
Key aspects of this historic vote include:
- Swift organization of approximately 200 remaining citizens to determine their collective fate
- Strategic selection of higher ground near a sulfur spring, four miles north of St. Marks
- Preservation of crucial economic connections to the railroad and shipping routes
Their democratic process proved especially significant given the community’s recent struggles with yellow fever, which had already claimed 139 lives.
Rather than surrendering to nature’s forces, they exercised their freedom to chart a new course through collective action.
Higher Ground Brings Hope
The bold relocation of Port Leon’s citizens to higher ground marked a defining moment in Florida’s frontier history.
You’ll find their community resilience shone through as they chose a new site four miles north, near a sulfur spring that offered both elevation and economic promise.
This early example of disaster management wasn’t just about survival – it was about maintaining their essential role in the region’s cotton trade.
The move protected their future while preserving access to maritime commerce.
Though they’d lost their original town to a devastating 10-foot storm surge, you can see how their strategic thinking paid off.
When disaster struck Port Leon in 1843, its residents demonstrated remarkable unity by collectively voting to abandon their devastated settlement and rebuild their lives on higher ground.
Despite facing devastating losses from both a yellow fever outbreak and a destructive hurricane, the community’s resilience shone through their unified response to crisis.
Here’s what made their collective identity stronger:
- Shared economic interests in preserving crucial cotton trade routes and port operations
- Mutual trust and reliance in selecting a safer location near a sulphur spring
- Commitment to maintaining social institutions like the post office and newspaper
You’ll find their decision wasn’t just about survival – it was about preserving their way of life.
Together, they chose a strategic location four miles north, balancing safety with access to essential water transport while keeping their community intact.
Economic Impact on Regional Commerce
During its brief but impactful existence from 1841 to 1843, Port Leon emerged as an essential economic hub for Florida’s Gulf Coast region, processing thousands of cotton bales from south Georgia and north Florida through its bustling port facilities.
You’ll find evidence of the town’s economic resilience in its rapid growth from 200 to 450 residents, supported by a diverse commercial infrastructure of hotels, taverns, stores, and warehouses.
Historical trade patterns show Port Leon’s strategic importance as it rivaled St. Marks for regional commerce. Similar to modern Florida’s housing market collapse, the town faced catastrophic economic challenges that reshaped the region.
However, a devastating yellow fever epidemic in 1841, followed by a destructive hurricane in 1843, crippled the town’s economic foundation.
The loss of Port Leon’s infrastructure forced regional merchants to redirect their shipping routes, ultimately reshaping Gulf Coast commerce patterns.
Modern Traces of a Lost Settlement
Today you’ll find scattered remnants of Port Leon’s past, including whitish stone foundations and aged wooden pilings that mark the original town’s layout along the St. Marks River.
The site’s historical footprint extends to sections of the old rail grade that once connected Port Leon to Tallahassee, along with wooden culverts and building support structures from both the town’s early period and its later use as a wildlife refuge headquarters.
While many physical traces have vanished due to natural disasters and time, you can still explore the 3.5-mile road from the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge visitor center to the old town site, where interpretative kiosks help identify key historical locations.
Visible Historical Remnants Today
Nearly all physical traces of Port Leon have vanished since the devastating 1843 flood, leaving behind a landscape reclaimed by nature at the confluence of the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers.
Today, you’ll find no standing buildings, headstones, or visible artifacts from this ghost town‘s brief existence. While the original 3.5-mile road still provides access near the Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, it’s now a modern path rather than a historical remnant.
- The Port Leon cemetery, where yellow fever and hurricane victims were buried, has disappeared beneath vegetation.
- No historical markers indicate the original building foundations or infrastructure.
- The riverbanks have shifted dramatically over time, erasing the original docks and landing sites.
Archaeological Sites Worth Exploring
While modern visitors may not see obvious remnants of Port Leon above ground, archaeological studies have revealed rich layers of human history beneath the surface.
You’ll find archaeological significance spanning thousands of years, from Paleo-Indian projectile points to Spanish colonial artifacts near the Wakulla River.
The area’s most intriguing sites include indigenous artifacts at ancient burial mounds, where you can trace human activity back to 900 AD through shark teeth pendants and clay figurines.
For those interested in Port Leon specifically, you’ll want to explore the old railroad bed within the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, where remnants of the 1839 drawbridge and settlement infrastructure still exist beneath years of vegetation and natural reclamation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Native American Tribes Originally Inhabited the Port Leon Area?
Just as ancient roots grip deep soil, you’ll find the Apalachee were the primary Native tribe of historical significance near Port Leon, though they’d vanish by the 1700s after Spanish contact.
How Much Did Typical Goods and Services Cost in Port Leon?
You’d find goods priced similarly to other 1840s Florida port towns, with cotton trade influencing cost stability. Daily essentials and shipping fees reflected typical historical pricing for Southern coastal markets.
Were There Any Schools or Churches Established During Port Leon’s Existence?
You’d think a bustling port town would’ve had schools and churches, but historical records don’t show any ghost town education or religious institutions during Port Leon’s brief five-year existence.
What Happened to the Town’s Official Documents After the Hurricane?
You’ll find no evidence of document recovery after the hurricane impact – the 10-foot storm surge destroyed all official records as buildings were swept away, leaving Port Leon’s administrative history permanently lost.
Did Any Families From Port Leon Stay Behind After Relocation?
You won’t find any families’ stories of staying behind – historical records show complete abandonment after the relocation impact. Everyone left the vulnerable site, moving together to establish safer ground near St. Marks.
References
- https://stmarksrefuge.org/explore/kiosks/port-leon/
- https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/history-port-leon-st-marks-nwr.pdf
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEXiiycfWlY
- https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2009/01/walking-to-port-leon.html
- https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=67270
- https://www.tallahasseemagazine.com/yellow-fever-was-the-scourge-of-tallahassee-and-surrounding-towns-in-1841/
- https://stars.library.ucf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1083&context=fhq
- https://floridahumanities.org/blog/yellow-fever-and-floridas-founding/
- https://www.alabamawx.com/?p=270748
- https://www.weather.gov/lmk/HurricaneAndrew30Years
