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FLORIDA MEMORIES
called the Coca-Cola Bill), a screw-propelled towboat built in 1911 in St. Andrews, Florida, and several hand-fabricated wooden barges. Some of the latter are believed to date to before the Civil War.
Also nearby is the hull of paddlewheel boat Albany, which rests on the riverbank on private property. Artifacts and photographs from her can be seen in the Museum of Florida History at the R.A. Gray Building in Tallahassee.
A new interpretive panel at River Landing Park in Chattahoochee tells the story of “Florida’s Inland Graveyard of Ships.” Actual wrecks of early vessels can be seen nearby. Other interpretive signs tell the stories of the prehistoric Native American mounds, the Scott Battle of 1817, the Old Spanish Trail and more.
To visit River Landing Park, take the Chattahoochee exit off Interstate 10 west of Tallahassee. The park is on River Landing Road just off U.S. Highway 90 near downtown Chattahoochee, Florida.
Please keep in mind that the wrecks and other artifacts are protected by law, so leave them as you find them!
Editor’s Note: Historian and author Dale Cox has written 19 books on Florida and southeastern history. His book on the Seminole War battle fought at Chattahoochee, "The Scott Battle of 1817," is available through most bookstores or at amazon.com. You can also see him on northwest Florida’s Two Egg TV at twoeggtv.com. FCM