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A History of Columbia County Florida (1996) Edward F. Keuchel 283/340

Since the Second World War
for land purchases and leases would come from a $50 million
recreation bond issue, but requests for projects throughout the
state totaled some $500 million. Moreover, the legality of the bond
issue was under attack in the courts. A new thrust was made to
acquire federal funds under the Outdoor Recreation Law of 1964.
D. L. Means and Herb Attaway traveled with Congressman D. R.
“Billy” Mathews on a boat trip from the head springs to the mouth
of the Ichetucknee River. Attaway, Means, ecologist Russell Platt
who lives near the springs, Lake City attorney A. K. Black, Guy
Hamilton, and others from Columbia and Suwannee counties were
active over the next several years in promoting the project before
federal and state officials.21
The effort bore fruit. In late 1969 the Florida Outdoor Recrea­
tional Council purchased the area for use as a state park. Of
immediate concern was the need for protection against damage
from vandals, poachers, overnight campers and other uninvited
guests. On January 23, 1970, the Ichetucknee Advisory Council
was formed consisting of Frank Norris, Mrs. Alfred Shealey, Mrs.
A. K. Black, Jay Brown, Clifton Little, and Jack Philips. The
council was active in formulating policy and promoting action to
clean-up and protect the area. Park District Supervisor Carlos
Maxwell performed herculean efforts with borrowed personnel
and equipment to prepare the park. It was opened early in 1971 and
has become one of the great recreational spots of northern Florida
as well of economic benefit to the county’s southern section. Local
residents rent truck-tire innertubes to the thousands of college
students and other visitors who come to the park. “Tubing down
the Ichetucknee” is regarded as a delightfully-memorable ex­
perience.22

21 Attaway to Mathews, September 8, 1964, “Herb Attaway File,” Black to
Miller, June 1, 1966, Ichetucknee Springs Folder.
22“Herb Attaway Notes,” “Carlos Maxwell Notes,” “Nettie Black Ozaki Notes,”
Ichetucknee Springs Folder.

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