Preface and acknowledgments -- Introduction -- 1. First along the river -- 2. The fourth part of the world -- 3. The conquistador's gift : cattle, horses, and citrus -- 4. A parade of diversities : colonization and conflict -- 5. Artist-naturalists in la Florida -- 6. Sportsmen's paradise : fishing, hunting, and recreation in the St. Johns region -- 7. Treasures of Welaka -- 8. Searching for paradise : tourism in the river region -- 9. Tourism continued : trains, planes, and automobiles -- 10. Springs eternal : water resources in the St. Johns region -- 11. The western watershed : Cross Creek and the Ocklawaha River Basin -- 12. Palatka : a river city's tale -- 13. From Cowford to Jacksonville -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index.