Our History:

The word WELAKA meant "river of lakes" to the Native Americans of northeastern Florida and was their name for the river European settlers called the St. Johns. The town was formed from the 500-acre tract known as Mt. Tucker purchased by the town's founder James William Bryant on 6 July 1852.Welaka is approximately 80 miles south of Jacksonville and 40 miles from the Atlantic Ocean on the East and is easily accessible for the motorist by highway.

Pursuant to an election on 23 April 1887 the town was incorporated 21 June 1887 and Welaka was affirmed as the town's name and an official seal was adopted. At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1860, Welaka's population numbered more than 100. At the end of the war fewer than 20 remained. Prior to the war, there were large orange groves and cotton plantations. Cotton, foods, and livestock were raised, marketed and recorded. Wool and cotton were spun, woven into cloth from which the family and soldier's clothing was made.

By the mid-1880s, Welaka had become a resort town attracting visitors seeking medicinal cures from the many springs that provided mineral water. By 1907, Welaka was famous for its "healing waters". The Welaka Mineral Water Company was incorporated on 15 November 1907.