Saint Augustine Day Trip: Dudley Farm Historical Park

Due west of Gainesville, and about an hour and a half drive from Saint Augustine is Dudley Farm Historic State Park, (DudleyFarmHistoricStatePark) a working 19th century farm now owned by the Florida Park Service. What drew us to this day trip was the website definition of "working." There were a few cattle, a mule, a small horse, and four turkeys, but I couldn't find anything yet growing, purposefully planted, or otherwise viable on this farm.

What I did find were very friendly people, probably volunteers; one of whom was feeding hay to the horse and mule, and another who was shelling pecans on the back porch of the original farmhouse.

There is a visitors center that has a running video loop of the history of the farm, and that was very interesting. The main gatekeeper was also knowledgeable about the farm, and the picnic tables out front were the perfect spot to put our basket after our drive. We probably spent as much time eating, reading the Sunday paper, and taking in the quiet as we did touring the farm. Everything was on the honor system, and self-guided, but the map provided could have been clearer and more comprehensive.

These inadequacies were eclipsed by the beauty of the area. Note I said area, and not the farm in particular. The house was not in great condition, and the pecan sheller indicated they intend to keep it "original" and "true to the era". I agree, except for the fact that I was tripping over fallen branches and obscured fence-wire everywhere, and there were nails sticking out of boards on the sides of several buildings, inexplicable in their function and dangerous for anyone who ventured near them. The kitchen building was the highlight with a fantastic and authentic cook-stove. The photographs illuminate some of the obsolescence, and we simply chalked it up to lack of funding and advertising. Having said that, in the two and a half hours we were there on this picturesque 70 degree and sunny Sunday (February 10, 2008), there were about 10 other cars in the parking lot when we left. At $4 per vehicle, well, you can do the math.

Was it worth the drive? I think the drive itself is worth the trip to the farm. We took back roads to Gainesville, and then circumvented some of the high traffic areas to get to the farm. With the right weather, it's a great drive. Is the park different in the summer? I imagine it's hot, and hope they will spruce things up for summer visitors. Did I enjoy myself none-the-less? Yes. I just wish they'd removed the decrepit farm vehicle dumped in one of the sinkholes, and instead turned both sinkholes into the park-like, geological treasures they could be.

Patsy Ittner, RN, Broker/Owner, Little Fox Realty, www.LittleFoxRealty.com, 904-687-3665, Serving the real estate needs of Saint Augustine and Jacksonville, Florida.