thursby house

cmanofcape

I guess I thought it was better preserved and had more furnishings of the time. Fine to just walk through but not very exciting. At least you can sit on the rockers on the front porch.

priscillaw593

This house is located on the grounds of Blue Springs Park. It is an old home built many years ago in1872 and though it is interesting there is very little furniture. The kitchen is equipped and the tour is self guided. If you are there to see the manatees stop in to see it but do not make a special visit to see it.

Aldergreen

As someone else noted, you are likely already in the park to see the manatees or to take advantage of the camping, so why not take a look at the house. You can take a quick walk-through of the main floor and placards in place give you a good history of the house and its past inhabitants. Not worth specifically coming to see the house but interesting to see if you are already in the area.

CarolJ837

A historical home at Blue Spring State Park. Self guided tour with interesting information available. Since a lot of children come to the Spring to see manatees, this is a good chance for them to see some history, too.

AlW411

Nice setting with an interesting history. First floor is open with place cards and period household wares. House overlooks the Blue Springs that harbors the manatees in cold weather. No additional fee to enter after paying the $6.00 car entrance fee to the park.

believeangls

This is a historical home at Blue Springs State Park. It is set up to be self guided with artifacts and descriptions throughout the main level of the home. It is close by the viewing area for the manatees and there is a small playground nearby as well.

johnc_19

Full access to the 1st floor of the building but no access to the upper or lower floors. This building isn't really that old but there are many people who may not have experienced anything like this so I recommend checking it out if you have the opportunity.

jeffl499

Lewis Thursby moved to the Blue Springs area to enjoy the tranquil life of Florida. He quickly became a successful businessman by building a dock for the steamers moving cargo and tourists up and down the St. Johns River. He built a beautiful multi-story house in 1872 to accommodate his family. Set on a gentle slope rolling downward to Blue Springs, it is open to tourists throughout the year. A set of narrative boards provides information about the house and the family on the first floor (the upper floors are closed off). A delightful stop while in the park.

gwendalyn

we walked inside the house, very nice. Overlooking the springs at Blue springs park. There were no tours the day we visited, so not sure if you could go upstairs, that would have been neat, but nice house to tour.

Sunshine_Trekker

The house is located inside the Blue Springs State Park. It was built in 1872. You can still view the wood burning stoves, kitchen area, and period furniture on display. Pass from room to room viewing the historical displays and take a trip back in time, it is not hard to see how life must have been back then. It is a beautiful three story house that is surrounded by plentiful trees draped in spanish moss.So after a day of swimming and tubing at the Blue Springs State Park, visit the Thursby House, sit on one of the rocking chairs as the wind gently nuzzles you and take a trip back in time, you will be happy you did.

junkmailpile

not much to see but interesting artifacts and details - to imagine what times were like back when this family worked the land and the spring waterways

VivienneM518

When you park in the parking area at Blue Spring State Park you will immediately see a large white house with wrap-around porch. It's between the parking area and the Blue Spring, with an expansive grassy area in front and many enormous live oaks, dripping with Spanish moss.The house was built in 1872 by Louis Thursby. He was a Gold Rush prospector turned orange-grower, who bought Blue Spring in 1856. The house, built over a large Indian midden, is now a museum, telling the story of the family and the times. At that time there was a steamboat landing on the St Johns River, into which the Blue Spring flows, and many steamboats shipped tourists and goods to Jacksonville and further. Then the railroad came in the 1880s and steamboat activity ceased. Mrs. Thursby was the first postmistress of Orange City, the nearby town.It's an interesting little museum, giving a different twist to a visit to this park. Obviously, people come here for the park and its natural beauties and attractions, especially the manatees, but this house does give a wider understanding of the area.Definitely worth a short visit.

sunnyb604

This home is located in Blue Springs State park. It is nice that you can not only swim and fish at this park but visit this beautiful old home on the property. The Thursby's once owned and lived on this property which is now the park. You can sit on the large front porch and just take in the the beautiful view or walk the bottom floor and see the old artifacts that were found there or look at the old family marriage/death or birth certs. Very enjoyable.

bdwood2000

The bottom floor is open to the public. It offeres a brief history of the first family to live there and the land. A good starting point for background. Since it is free, nothing to complain about.

RJS6700

See what it was like in post civil war days. This old house has displays showing what life was like when Blue Springs was a big steamboat town that faded when the railroad came through.