White Springs is a town in North Florida, United States, on the Suwannee River.

Home of the annual Florida Folk Festival, it is a tourist destination noted for historic charm, antique shops, and river recreation.

The Native Americans considered the spring a sacred healing ground, and used it even in times of war; any tribe member could bathe and drink the mineral waters without fear of being attacked.

[6] The spring water has a "rotten egg" sulfur smell that comes from dissolved hydrogen sulfide gas.

[8][6] Sheffield drank the mineral waters and touted their ability to cure nervousness, kidney troubles, and rheumatism, among other problems.

During the Civil War, some Confederate soldiers found refuge in the town from Union troops.

In 1882, the Georgia merchants Wight and Powell purchased the property and platted city lots.

They sold parcels to other retailers to open businesses catering to plantations and resorts around the spring.

[2] Hotels and boarding houses popped up; a cotton gin attracted buyers and sellers; and fashionable clothing and hats were offered for sale.

[9] The structure was designed by the Jacksonville architectural firm McClure & Holmes for owner Minnie Mosher Jackson, and included doctors' offices for patient examination and treatment, dressing rooms, space for concessions, and an elevator.

[11] During the 1930s, bathing in mineral springs fell out of favor in the United States and the town began to fade.

A carillon containing the world's largest set of tubular bells, [12] opened in 1957 and plays Foster's songs throughout the day.

The ex-mayor of White Springs, Dr. Helen Miller, was vice chairman of Florida Leaders Organized for Water (FLOW), a group which proposed the Floridan Aquifer Sustainability Act of 2013.

[14] The approximate coordinates for the Town of White Springs is located in southeastern Hamilton County at 30°19′54″N 82°45′22″W / 30.33167°N 82.75611°W / 30.33167; -82.75611 (30.331647, –82.756008).