By Sue Erwin • Photos by Christine Cunningham
Tucked away down a dirt road in North Port lies one of the Sunshine State’s most historical, relaxing
and rejuvenating experiences – Warm Mineral Springs.
Known for its year-round 85-degree water temperature, it is the only warm spring in the state of
Florida. The natural spring contains an estimated 51 minerals – one of the highest mineral content of any
natural spring in the United States. The spring is approximately 225 feet deep and boasts calcium, magnesium,
iron, potassium, sulfur and fl uoride.
There are no canoes or kayaks allowed at the 81-acre park. It’s simply a peaceful location to recharge and
connect with nature.
Natural-health lovers from all around the world visit the area to sample the mineral-rich water, said to have
healing properties for a variety of ailments. It’s even fabled to be a “Fountain of Youth” so long sought by
legendary explorer Juan Ponce de Leon.
After purchasing tickets in the admissions building visitors are directed down a long shadowy tunnel. They
are greeted at the end by birds and squirrels scurrying through mossy trees, and a large pond where the water
is warm and inviting.
Warm Mineral Springs began as a sinkhole, believed by archeologists to have opened to the
surface about 30,000 years ago. Some 10,000 years ago, the spring was used as an Indian
burial ground. The mineral water preserved the fossils of saber-tooth tigers, sloths and
ancient humans and their primitive tools.
About 50 years ago William Royal, the fi rst diver to ever venture below the
surface, discovered extinct animal bones, stalactite formations and human
remains. The archaeological world initially dismissed his fi ndings as a farce
because, according to fossil records, it was believed that humans arrived in
Florida no earlier than seven thousand years ago. For the last 40 years several
January/February 2020 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE 3