Route #30 Pittman – Astor – De Leon Springs

This route runs through interior areas of Lake and Volusia counties, following secondary roads that cross forests, lakes, and small settlements that emerged alongside the railroad in the late nineteenth century. The layout reflects an interior Florida shaped by isolation and dependence on natural resources.

Pittman was a prosperous community during the agricultural boom prior to the major freezes of the 1890s, which led to the abandonment of numerous towns in the region. From there, the route enters the Ocala National Forest, one of the oldest protected areas in the state, where human presence has always been limited.

The route continues toward Astor, located along the St. Johns River and closely linked to river transportation, before reaching De Leon Springs, an area known for its natural springs and its long historical occupation, from Indigenous populations to European settlers.

The complete route and its historical context are part of Discovering Florida – Volume 2.