Monticello, FL 32331 - Jefferson County

The Ginhouse Pond and surrounding acreage has always been a part of Lyndhurst Plantation. The land that became Lyndhurst and the subsequent Ginhouse Pond was purchased in the early 1840s, before Florida became a State in 1845.

The land was purchased by Col. William Bailey. He and his wife, Eliza, lived a short distance away, while their home was being built. Eliza, as a young girl, had gone to school in Lyndhurst, England. Being so fond of her school years, she and Col. Bailey named their plantation site, Lyndhurst. It was a profitable Plantation, in that cotton and corn were some of the crops that were grown. A structure was built near a pond, in order to process the cotton, hence, the Ginhouse pond. It was also used as a grist mill. This Plantation, since its founding, has always been owned by relatives of the Bailey family, until the present day.

The Ginhouse Pond acreage has always been involved in some form of agriculture. Corn and peanuts were planted during the spring and summer months. In the winter months, oats, rye, and clover were grown for cattle. Hay was cut off of the pasture land during the summer and in the winter, the pastures were over seeded in rye grass and clover for the cattle.

The land is of a sandy loam type soil which has proven to grow good row crops and small grains: rye, oats, millet, and clover. Pasture land and hay crops do well in this type soil. Presently, the land is in either pasture or growing pine timber. Approximately, 100 acres of pine timber were clear cut. This land has been sprayed to kill hardwood trees and is ready to be replanted.

There is actually, very little unusable land, 45-50 acres of hardwood swamp. The pond sites make up about 65 acres. Approximately, 100 acres of pasture surrounds the Ginhouse Pond. The 100 acres of clear cut pineland make up most of the perimeter acreage. That leaves about 123 acres of pasture, pine woodland that are on the north and south sides of the Pond.

One of the more unusual aspects of the Ginhouse Pond is that it rest in a bowl. Not being spring fed, the Ponds source of water is from runoff. The elevation at pond level is from 50-70 ft and rises up to a height of about 170 ft.

About 10 years ago, several deep holes were dug in the Pond to keep it from going dry. So far, it has worked, in maintaining adequate water levels. These deep holes provide a habitat where the fish can survive. The Ginhouse Pond, also, has the ability to maintain adequate water levels in the two connecting ponds, due to its higher elevation.

The recreational qualities of the Ginhouse Pond and the surrounding acreage are exceptional. The fishing is excellent; the bass and bream are all healthy and good size. The dove shoots are always fun; the deer and turkey hunting are equally as good.

In closing, looking at the entire property, there is only a small fraction of it that cannot be used for either recreation or some form of agriculture. The land is spectacular in all that it provides. It is truly a gem in the rough and a rare find.