In 1993, the Florida Gas Transmission Company was surveying a route for a proposed 36" pipeline adjacent to Progress Energy's Power Line corridor. FGT contracted the services of R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates, an archaeological firm. They stumbled across some remnants of what appeared to be an abandoned turpentine distillery.

Local historians had no knowledge of such a camp. Extensive research by R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates revealed the existence of an abandoned early 1900s turpentine camp in the southeast corner of Homosassa, Citrus County. It soon became clear that this was a major historical "discovery", which could make the site eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

See Etna Artifacts Update

The aerial photo shows the general location of the Etna Turpentine Camp. We intentionally do not provide any outline or GPS coordinates of the actual site. It is illegal to search for or remove any historical items from the forest. Any possible remaining artifacts would have been covered for nearly a century by blowing sand, pine needles and decaying leaves.

What's left of the camp may not remain intact for much longer, either. Many horseback riding trails zigzag through the forest. Survey crews and large drill rigs are seen in the area to explore DOT's proposed Suncoast Parkway II through the Annutteliga Hammock.

The right-of-way for the parkway will extend several hundred feet east of Florida Gas Transmission's right of way. The eventual construction of the parkway will completely remove any remnants of the Etna Camp.