To understand the name of this historic Florida city, you need to go a long way
back in time. Before Spaniards arrived in Florida, much of the area in what is
now Levy County was home to the Timucuan Indians.who farmed the land. A chief
ruled each tribe, and those chiefs answered to a head chief. The head chief
owned the land where Chiefland stands today. Legendary (and perhaps historical)
accounts say that Hernando de Soto, the Spanish conquistador, came to the area
in 1539 and wiped out most of the Indians. But their historical occupation of
the area was commemorated when the town that sprung up there was incorporated as
"Chiefland" in 1913.
Years before it was incorporated, Chiefland
was an important center for raising cattle, growing peanuts, and especially for
growing watermelons. The city holds a watermelon festival on the first Saturday
of June to honor what continues to be its most important farm product. The
festival has been an annual tradition since 1954.
In the early 1900's, Chiefland began to prosper, in large part because of the
arrival of the railroad. The Chiefland Train Depot was built in 1913, allowing
livestock, watermelons, and other goods and produce to be shipped to northern
cities. The depot was closed, and the building moved to Oldtown, Floirda in
1982. Eventually, local Chiefland citizens and business leaders raised the funds
to buy the old depot building back, and had it moved once again to Chiefland
with much celebration. The building was restored and now houses the Chiefland
Train Depot Museum. The museum sits adjacent to the
Nature Coast State Trail,
which follows the path of the original railroad line.
Another annual festival held in Chiefland is the Christmas Festival and Parade.
The parade is accompanied with craft vendors, children's activities, free
entertainment, and of course an appearance by Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus and their
elves.
Activities & Facilities
Hotel or B&B
Restaurant
Dogs allowed
Short hiking trails
Long hiking trails
Paved bike trails