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Shelf number: 16618.

General Note

In the mid 1800s, the town of Leno was founded along the banks of the Santa Fe River. The first telegraph linking Florida to the outside world passed through Leno. In 1896, the railroad bypassed the tiny town, causing Leno's inevitable decline. Although the town of Leno met its demise it was still a popular place for the people to meet for picnics. Referred to as "Old Leno", it eventually became O'Leno. Acquired in the early 1930s by the Florida Board of Forestry, the park was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Authority. Camp O'Leno opened in 1938 as a Florida Forest Service training camp. After two summers the camp was turned over to the Florida Park Service, making it one of Florida's first state parks.