Much of the area contains more sand pine scrub then anywhere else in the world Throughout the area is fertile soils and moisture which supported growth of longleaf pines, wiregrass, turkey oaks, and other exotic plants. The early pioneers called these areas islands because of the sea of scrub that surrounded them.

The Reuben Long Family came to the area about 1872 and related family members were granted homestead acres they applied for here. They live off the land surrounding the Yearling Trail for many years. Eventually that grew in the late 1800s to about 12 different families living on the 1400 acre island. They would farm, raise cattle, hogs, hut, fish, making moonshine whisky, and travel with other boats on the near by St. Johns River. 

Eventually the community developed its own church, school, post office, and self appointed ministers The area was so unique due to the island being surrounded by scrub pine that it was isolated from the rest of other Florida settlements. Unfortunately in 1894 and 1894 Florida had some big freezes after that the settlement started to disperse. Most of the settlers sold or leased their homesteads before the Ocala Forest was formed in 1908. The outside forces were bring life to end on the island. Then by 1935 the island completely became abandoned. Today its very overgrown full of very narrow trails and remnants. 

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings an author was very fascinated with the island and its inhabitants She stayed with Calvin and Mary Long in 1933 perhaps visiting for about a month. She also visited the area many times journalizing many of the stories the Longs told. Calvin's childhood story of nursing a deer from a fawn gave her the idea to write the novel called "The Yearling" which won a pullitzer prize The book was made into a movie starring Gregory Peck, Jane Wyman and Claude Jarman Jr. and was filmed in this location in the 1940s. There is one story about the Baxter Homestead where Jody breaks away from his chores to build a flutter mill at Silver Glenn Springs. Then there is a story about a bear hunt that took place in Hopkins Prairie with Jody and Penny.

As the island remained forgotten the prairies started to consume it. You can still see the different sites where residents lived along the trail. One of those sites in the Long Cemetery which will eventually be a separate investigation.  But also we seen on one of the islands an abandoned campground, a stone stairwell, a swamp, a lake, and other signs that humans once inhabited the area. There are remains of the homesteads as well but due to it being summer everything is overgrown so we probably will not find them unless we either go in the winter or wander off the trails. 

Speaking of wandering off the trails this area is very secluded might even say dangerous. Our first investigation the trail was not marked in all areas and we did get lost. Sad to say that some of the trails dead end and next ya know your walking in tall wet grass or in the middle of the Ocala Forest. There is also dozens of dirt roads some are closed off by wood to keep cars out. We actually did hike threw a few areas such as the Pat's Island area, Hopkins Prairie and Near Juniper Springs The whole area makes up a few thousand acres. There is also alot of Saw Palmetto and thick brush which can cut you up very quickly. So I guess what I am saying is that this is the type of place that took alot of outdoors experience. But that is why I chose it cause if you were a bigfoot where would you hide? This area would be suitable for Cryptids, Ufos, spirits from the ghost town etc due to its seclusion and habitat.

Some of the sites that can be seen along the trail is an old cattle dip dating back to the 1920s. Then there is Grahamville Road or Jody's Trace.  There is also a giant sinkhole where the residents got there drinking water from.  Then there is a homesite of Patrick Smith.  Another dirt road that runs threw here is the Major Churchhill Road which leads to the Florida Scenic Trail which cuts down threw Ocala Forest. The area which also had a forest fire has an old dog wood tree one of the oldest in the area. Its very gnarled and somehow escaped many forest fires.  Then there is the homesite of Reuben and Sara Long who are buried in the cemetery. The Yearling was filmed mainly at the Calvin Long Homesite which today still is in the woods probably buried by brush. Lastly there is the largest cedar tree on Pat's Island it was used to mark the homesite of Calvin Long's daughter Cara and her family. So lots to see how here and visit its a pretty interesting little area which makes it exciting to make discoveries.

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Rick-LordOfThyNight