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WOODVILLE— Florida is commemorating the 141st
anniversary of the Battle of Natural Bridge this
weekend at the Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic
State Park. The event commemorates the historic
Civil War battle with battlefield demonstrations,
parlor games and the 29th reenactment of the 1865
battle.
“The Battle of Natural Bridge was integral to
Florida’s history and culture,” Florida Park Service
Director Mike Bullock. “This reenactment celebrates
and honors the sacrifices made by each individual
involved in this battle.”
The original battle was fought by a group of
Confederates and young cadets from The Florida
Military and Collegiate Institute, which later
became Florida State University. The Battle of
Natural Bridge was the second largest Civil War
battle in Florida and preserved Tallahassee as the
only Confederate capital east of the Mississippi
River never to fall into Union hands. The Florida
Park Service, Natural Bridge Historical Society, The
Leon Rifles and the United Daughters of the
Confederacy sponsor this event that draws a crowd of
approximately 2,500 annually.
The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the
nation’s best state park service, Florida’s state
park system is one of the largest in the country
with 159 parks spanning more than 725,000 acres and
100 miles of sandy white beach. From swimming and
diving in Florida’s rivers and springs to birding
and fishing or hiking and riding on natural scenic
trails, Florida’s state parks offer year-around
outdoor activities for all ages. Battle reenactments
and Native American festivals celebrate Florida’s
unique history, while art shows, museums and
lighthouses offer a window into Florida’s cultural
heritage.
For more information, visit
www.floridastateparks.org.
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2012 State of Florida