Jasper, FL Area Guide

Jasper is a magnificent city in Hamilton County, Florida that was named for Sgt. William Jasper, Revolutionary War soldier. Jasper's population was 1,780 as of the 2000 census and by 2004, the population had reached 1,848 people. Jasper is the county seat of Hamilton County, providing a home for The United Methodist Church, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. One of Jasper's unique attributes is that it is one of the largest industries is phosphate mining.

Born in Jasper

Lillian Smith, author of the 1944 best-seller Strange Fruit, was born in Jasper before relocating with her family to Clayton, Georgia at age 14. Smith was the founder and editor of "South Today," a journal of fiction and opinion that was both literary and political, and was the first magazine in the South to publish stories and articles by black writers. Smith flaunted the racial norms of her day by hosting interracial dinners of white and black women between 1936 until the 1960s. She also wrote a nonfiction book, "Killers of the Dream," which examined the effect of race, sex, and religion on the Southern psyche, both white and black. Shortly after "Killers of the Dream" was published she received an honorary degree from Howard University, a historically black college, with the declaration, "You are a dangerous revolutionist. There is enough dynamite in what you say to blow up the very foundation of segregated civilization."

Parks & Recreation Services

Jasper's Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to managing all county parks and recreation needs. Providing quality recreational opportunities for everyone, Jasper's Parks and Recreation Department runs 5 baseball/softball fields, 2 playgrounds, 2 tennis courts, 2 parks, 3 soccer fields, 2 handball courts and the rodeo arena located in Jasper. Also, there are 2 ball fields and a playground in both Jennings and White Springs. Gibson Park, nestled on the shady banks of the Suwannee River, offers visitors rustic camping and RV hookups, as well as fishing and canoeing opportunities. To find out more about what Jasper's Parks and Recreations Department has to offer you, please visit their official website at: http://www.hamiltoncountyflorida.com/cd_parksrec.aspx

Attractions

Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center

The Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center is home to a variety of attractions your whole family will enjoy. Come and fish, hike, swim, camp at their amazing campground, or whitewater paddle all at Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center. To find out more, please visit them on the web at: http://www.hikercentral.com/campgrounds/103863.html

Big Shoals State Park

Featuring the largest whitewater rapids in Florida, Big Shoals State Park has something for everyone with over 28 miles of trails and opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, freshwater fishing, and wildlife viewing. Big Shoals Park is also known for its unique limestone bluffs that tower 80 feet above the banks of the Suwannee River. These unique features are not found anywhere else in Florida. The Woodpecker Trail, a 3.4-mile long multipurpose paved trail, connects the Little Shoals and Big Shoals entrances to the park.

Interactive Map