Etna Turpentine Camp Archeological Site

The Etna Turpentine Camp is an archaeological site in Withlacoochee State Forest that contains remnants of worker housing, processing facilities, and industrial equipment from the early 1900s. The excavated remains show the physical layout and operational setup of this production center.

The camp operated between 1890 and 1920 and employed around 200 residents who extracted sap from pine trees for naval stores and wood treatment products. This period reflected growing industrial demand for these materials.

Discoveries of toys and household items reveal that families lived in this worker camp, which was unusual for the region. These findings tell us how people actually lived in their daily lives at the site.

The site is located within Withlacoochee State Forest and requires prior arrangement with forest authorities for research or educational visits. Advance planning is essential to gain access and determine the best time to visit.

The site preserves evidence of payment methods through company scrip, showing how workers were kept in ongoing employment cycles. This practice was a common way to control workers' economic dependence.