The Wandering Disciple

The Florida panhandle is known for geological features not found anywhere else in the state. A few days ago we spotlighted the Florida Caverns, today we bring to you the state's biggest waterfall. You may ask yourself how does a flat state have a 763 foot waterfall. Well it is courtesy of a 100 foot sinkhole in which a small stream flows into and cascades down the drop before reaching the bottom. The waterfall is reached on via a small boardwalk hike in which brings you close to this Florida wonder. Once a hideout for Seminole Indians, the waterfall later became power for a Civil War era Grist Mill, then a distillery and even at one point an oil well before becoming a state park in 1962. (Photo: April 2, 2017)

Chipley, Florida: Each year thousands of visitors follow the footsteps that date back to the days of the Native Americans, making the trek to see the wonders of Florida’s tallest waterfall at Falling Waters State Park. The awe of the falling water attracted Native Americans to see the spender of the waterfall and continues to draw people to see nature’s masterpiece. The land surrounding the park is rich in history. It hid Indians from capture during the Seminole Wars. It would become a Civil War era grist mill and in 1891 a distillery. In 1919, it became the first oil well in Florida. Artifacts telling the story of the land have been unearthed by archaeologists with the University of West Florida, giving historians a glimpse at the usage of the land dating back over 1,500 years. In 1962, Washington County turned the land over to the State of Florida and Falling Waters State Park was born. Today, the highlight of the park continues to be the waterfall. At 73 feet, the waterf...

At 73 feet, Falling Waters is the largest waterfall in the Sunshine State.  Formed by the Falling Water Sing, water cascades from the top of the waterfall into the sinkhole below.  Fed by a spring near the top, the waterfall can range from trickle in the dry season to a raging waterfall in the rainy season or after a heavy rain.  (Photo: April 2, 2017)