“River of Fire”. Do those words spark your imagination? I am talking about the Alafia River. We are standing at its edge ready to uncover its secrets. The Alafia River flows through Hillsborough County Florida. It empties into Tampa Bay.
For centuries, the Tocobaga Indians called the Alafia River home. They built settlements near its mouth and hunting camps upstream. They left traces of their lives along its banks.
In the 16th century explorers like Pánfilo de Narváez and Hernando de Soto charted the area. They met the native people. Early maps didn’t call it Alafia River. They used the translation “Hunting River”. The name “Alafia” comes from a native word. It means “River of Fire”. The river sometimes glows at night because of its high phosphoric content. Some say tiny algae spores create a red glow.
After the Second Seminole War settlers arrived. Benjamin Moody came in 1843. He settled on the south side of the Alafia River. This area became known as Peru. The Barnes family soon followed. They settled near Bell Shoals. The Armed Occupation Act of 1842 helped these settlers. It granted land to those who would bear arms. They also had to live on the land for five years.
Reverend LeRoy Lesley operated a ferry by 1867. John Carney ran another ferry near Lithia Springs. The Alafia River tends to flood twice a year. Many homes nearby are built on stilts.
Several parks dot the Alafia River. These include Alafia River State Park and Alderman’s Ford Regional Park. Lithia Springs Regional Park and Alafia Scrub Nature Preserve are other options. You can also visit the Riverview Civic Center. Williams Park and Mosaic Park lie near the river’s mouth.
The Alafia River has faced challenges. In 1997 a dam broke at a phosphate plant. It spilled millions of gallons of acidic wastewater. This disaster killed fish and vegetation. It also dumped tons of nitrogen into Tampa Bay.
Legends also surround the Alafia River. Some say a Confederate ship hid on the Alafia River. It carried gold and silver. The sailors buried the treasure to hide it from Union soldiers.
Jules Verne even featured the Alafia River in his novel From the Earth to the Moon. He wrote about launching a rocket to the moon from the bluffs. The bluffs overlooked the Alafia River.
The Alafia River tells a story of native people. It shows explorers settlers industry and nature. Its waters hold secrets and legends. As you continue your journey remember the Alafia River’s rich past.