The community was named for early settler Sam Worthington, who arrived prior to the first Seminole War of 1814–1819.

The mineral spring on the 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.

Thousands of people from surrounding communities would converge on the springs to picnic, swim, politic, and converse with friends and fellow Floridians.

[1] The area around the Santa Fe River is subject to periodic flooding, just as the flow at the spring varies widely.

[8] The town is located along the Santa Fe River on the southern county line with Alachua.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2), all land.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters.