In the 1800s the Apalachicola River was an important interstate highway, when General Andrew Jackson crossed this river with his army. More than 200 steamboats traveled the Apalachicola River. After Florida became a U.S. territory, the first government road, constructed in 1828 across north Florida, met the river here in the park.
The Gregory House originally sat across the river at Ocheesee Landing, was built around 1849 by planter Jason Gregory. After the Civil War and the abolition of slavery the plantation declined. The Gregory House was abandoned in 1935 and donated to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). It was then dismantled, moved across the river and re-constructed in its current location.
The river swamp, steep head ravine and high pineland are some of the forests of the park. The park contains several plant communities that contain many different kinds of trees, shrubs and wildflowers that offer variety during each season of the year.
The endangered Torreya (Taxifolia), tree was once plentiful within the park, but a fungal blight has declined the numbers drastically over the last 60 years. The Torreya tree can only be found along the high bluffs along the Apalachicola.
An array of animals commonly found are deer, beaver, bobcat, gray fox and the unusual Barbours map turtle. The river swamp, hardwood hammock and high pineland are forests of the park. The U.S. Champion big leaf magnolia, the rare Florida yew tree and many other rare plants found in the park.
