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26-620: The Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex was changed to the Crystal River Complex , headquartered at Crystal River, Florida , and consists of portions of the Chassahowitzka River and Crystal River , as well as what are known as the Tampa Bay Refuges: Egmont Key , Passage Key and Pinellas . The Chassahowitzka Wilderness consists of 23,578.93 acres (95.4205 km) or 76.4% of its total area. Only

52-402: A boon; it provided an easier way to ship and receive goods. It was also an easier way for tourists to travel in and out of the city. Sport fishing became a draw for many wealthy northerners. In the early 1990s, Arctic Air of America Inc. moved to Crystal River. Crystal River became a town in 1903. It was officially incorporated as a city on July 3, 1923. Crystal River Mall opened north of

78-476: A female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.68. In 2000, in the city the population was spread out with 19.0% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 20.9% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 27.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

104-615: A portion in the northeast is not designated as wilderness . In 2001, the Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership raised whooping crane ( Grus americana ) chicks in Wisconsin 's Necedah National Wildlife Refuge then guided them to the Chassahowitzka NWR for the winter. Despite severe mortality from hurricanes in 2007, the re-introduction has been successful and by 2010 there were up to 105 migrating birds established in

130-508: A total area of 6.8 square miles (17.7 km ), of which 6.2 square miles (16.0 km ) is land and 0.66 square miles (1.7 km ) 9.35% is water. In the Pleistocene era, the land on which Crystal River is located was vastly different from today. The west coast of Florida is thought to have extended an additional 50 to 60 miles (80 to 97 km) into the Gulf of Mexico. During excavations for

156-563: Is a city in Citrus County , Florida , United States. The population was 3,396 in the 2020 census, up from 3,108 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Homosassa Springs, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The city was incorporated in 1903 and is the self-professed "Home of the Manatee ". Crystal River Preserve State Park is located nearby, and Crystal River Archaeological State Park

182-540: Is located in the city's northwest side. Crystal River is at the heart of the Nature Coast of Florida. The city is situated around Kings Bay, which is spring-fed so it keeps a constant 72 °F (22 °C) temperature year round. A cluster of 50 springs designated as a first-magnitude system feeds Kings Bay. A first-magnitude system discharges 100 cubic feet or more of water per second, which equals about 64 million gallons of water per day. Because of this discharge amount,

208-405: Is the fastest growing contribution to the local economy. In 2005, there was a movement to dissolve the city which did not succeed, and the city has since grown by annexation. Crystal River is located northwest of the center of Citrus County at 28°54′02″N 82°35′37″W  /  28.900670°N 82.593699°W  / 28.900670; -82.593699 , on the northeast side of Kings Bay and

234-637: The Crystal River , an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico . U.S. Routes 19 and 98 pass through the center of the city, leading south 7 miles (11 km) to Homosassa Springs and north 46 miles (74 km) to Chiefland . State Road 44 leads east from Crystal River 17 miles (27 km) to Inverness , the Citrus County seat. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city of Crystal River has

260-703: The Crystal River Nuclear Plant in 1969, scientists discovered rhinoceros and mastodon bones, as well as the shells of an extremely large armadillo and a large land tortoise . Around 500 BCE mound-building Native Americans (possibly Deptford culture ) built a settlement along the Crystal River, which in the present day is the Crystal River Archaeological State Park . It was abandoned prior to European colonization for unknown reasons. The Native American name for Crystal River

286-471: The poverty line , including 12.4% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over. Crystal River uses a city council with five elected members, including the mayor. As of March 2024, the current mayor of Crystal River is Joe Meek. The city is served by Citrus County Schools . Residents are zoned to Crystal River Primary [elementary] School, Crystal River Middle School, and Crystal River High School . The Coastal Region Library of Citrus Libraries

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312-748: The Crystal River Springs group is the second largest springs group in Florida, the first being Wakulla Springs in Wakulla County near Tallahassee . Kings Bay can be home to over 400 manatees during the winter when the water temperature in the Gulf of Mexico cools, and is the only place in the United States where people can legally interact with them in their natural conditions without that interaction being viewed as harassment by law enforcement agencies. Tourism based on watching and swimming with manatees

338-509: The Crystal River area included cedar mills. In 1882, James Williams moved his cedar mill to Crystal River, and began operating on King's Bay. The mill produced pencil boards, which were then shipped to Jersey City, New Jersey , by ship, and later on by train. The Dixon Cedar Mill was one of the largest industries in Crystal River, providing employment to many in the area, including women and African Americans. Crystal River had been part of Hernando County since its inception in 1843. In 1844,

364-876: The Stage Stand, which today is the Stage Stand Cemetery in Homosassa . While no land battles were fought in the Crystal River area during the Civil War , there were many instances of skirmishes on the water directly off the coast of the Crystal and Homosassa rivers, as well as near Hickory Island in Yankeetown . By the time of the Civil War, Florida was an important source and supplier of food and other goods such as beef, pork, fish, corn, sugar, cotton, naval stores and salt. The Union

390-430: The age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.3% were non-families. 56.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.61. In 2010, in the city, the population was spread out, with 15.9% under

416-510: The age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 15.7% from 25 to 44, 31% from 45 to 64, and 33.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 56 years. The population was composed of 1,477 males and 1,631 females. As of the census of 2000, there were 3,485 people, 1,498 households, and 927 families residing in the city. The population density was 236.1 people/km (611 people/sq mi). There were 1,956 housing units at an average density of 132.5 units/km (343 units/sq mi). The racial makeup of

442-572: The center of town in 1990, which is now closed down. As of the 2020 United States census , there were 3,396 people, 1,481 households, and 744 families residing in the city. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 3,108 people, 1,472 households, and 835 families residing in the city. In 2010, the population density was 455.19 inhabitants per square mile (175.75/km ). There were 2,036 housing units at an average density of 343.4 units per square mile (132.6 units/km ). In 2010, there were 1,472 households, out of which 18% had children under

468-422: The city was 83.76% White , 12.88% Black or African American , 0.40% Native American , 1.32% Asian , 0.06% Pacific Islander , 0.46% from other races , and 1.12% from two or more races. 3.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. In 2000, there were 1,498 households out of which 21.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 10.5% had

494-471: The county name changed from "Hernando" to "Benton", in honor of Senator Thomas Hart Benton who had sponsored the Armed Occupation Act of 1842 , which had brought settlers to the area. The county name returned to Hernando in 1850. By the late 1800s, the area along the west side of the county was growing rapidly, and the citizens of the area began to see a need for a new county with a county seat that

520-527: The eastern United States for the first time in over 100 years. This Florida protected area related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about a location in Hernando County , Florida is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about a location in Citrus County , Florida is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Crystal River, Florida Crystal River

546-463: The seeds in the new world. This gave rise to the planting of citrus groves. The " Big Freeze " of 1894–1895 destroyed most of the citrus groves in the county. A very early industry in the area was the turpentine business. Many of the barges during the Civil War blockade had been carrying turpentine, likely from the turpentine still of William Turner, who resided in Red Level. Other early industry in

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572-510: Was Weewahi Iaca . Following the Second Seminole War , settlers were encouraged into the area due to the passing of the Armed Occupation Act of 1842 by the United States federal government. Twenty-two men filed for patents for land in Crystal River. By the mid-1800s, families began to settle in the Crystal River area. Mail was delivered by horse and buggy, and a stagecoach came from Ocala ( Fort King ) to Crystal River, stopping at

598-414: Was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males. In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $ 37,207, and the median income for a family was $ 47,250. Males had a median income of $ 39,357 versus $ 25,417 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 25,866. About 3.5% of families and 9.9% of the population were below

624-587: Was aware of this, and soon after the war began, the Union Navy blockaded the entire coast of Florida. Following the Civil War, Crystal River grew. People from states to the north began to arrive, attracted by the area's mild climate and the potential of becoming wealthy growing citrus fruits. Early settlers to the area had found wild citrus trees growing in abundance, thanks in part to the Spanish explorers who had brought oranges with them on their ships and had discarded

650-412: Was discovered in 1889 in the east side of Citrus County, and the phosphate industry grew rapidly. Historians have claimed it to be "one of the richest phosphate deposits in the world." The phosphate industry would boom in Crystal River and Citrus County until 1914, when it could no longer be shipped due to World War I . In 1888, the railroad reached Crystal River. The arrival of the railroad proved to be

676-416: Was easier to reach. In 1887, Hernando County was divided into three parts: Pasco County , Hernando County , and Citrus County . The town of Mannfield was named the temporary county seat for two years. Mannfield was chosen as it was in the geographic center of the new county and was more accessible to citizens. The site for the eventual county seat, Inverness , was decided by a vote in 1891. Phosphate

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