Editing Worthington Springs, Florida (section)

==History==
The community was named for early settler Sam Worthington, who arrived prior to the first [[First Seminole War|Seminole War of 1814–1819]]. The [[mineral spring]] on the [[Santa Fe River (Florida)|Santa Fe River]] was alleged to have medicinal benefits, attracting people from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. In the early years, swimming was segregated, with men and women assigned specific time intervals. In 1906, the new owner constructed a 12'×12' concrete box around the spring to divert water into a 90'×50' concrete pool with a wall dividing the bathing area into sections for men and women. The complex included a hotel, recreation hall and bathhouse for the spring pool.<ref name=WSHistory/><ref name=BUL31>{{cite journal|last=Rosenau|first=Jack C.|author2=Glen L. Faulkner |author3=Charles W. Hendry |author4=Robert W. Hull |title=Springs of Florida|journal=Florida Geological Survey Bulletin|year=1977|volume=31|pages=464 pages|url=http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00000232/00002/9j|access-date=January 29, 2013}}</ref>
 
[[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]] was always a big celebration at the springs. Thousands of people from surrounding communities would converge on the springs to picnic, swim, politic, and converse with friends and fellow Floridians. A special train transported people from [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]] for the holiday festivities.<ref name=WSHistory>{{Cite web|title=About Worthington Springs|url=https://worthingtonsprings.org/about-us/|website=worthingtonsprings.org}}</ref>

An iron and timber bridge was built across the river in 1908, facilitating access to and from the south. It was replaced in 1937 with the present concrete structure. In the mid-twentieth century, the outflow from the spring declined, and then stopped flowing completely. Activity at the resort likewise curtailed, and the facility was abandoned.<ref name=WSHistory/> The area around the Santa Fe River is subject to periodic flooding, just as the flow at the spring varies widely. In 1972, flow was measured at 233,280 gallons per day.<ref name=WSHistory/><ref name=BUL31 />

The '''Town of Worthington Springs''' was incorporated in 1963 with a [[Mayor–council government]].<ref name=WSHistory/><ref name=WorSprInc/><ref name=ToWsMuniDi>{{cite web|title=Municipal Directory: Town of Worthington Springs|url=https://www.floridaleagueofcities.com/research-resources/municipal-directory|publisher=www.floridaleagueofcities.com|access-date=January 31, 2023}}</ref> Street lights were installed, and a playground was created in the town park. In 1975, a Community Center was built the included government offices for a City Hall.<ref name=WSHistory/>