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CROSS CREEK – The house and farmyard of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings were recently designated as a National
Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the
Interior. Known as Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic
State Park, the designation recognizes the location as a
valuable national historical resource.
“Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park is an
example of the history and culture preserved in
Florida’s award-winning park system,” said Florida
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary
Colleen M. Castille. “As a leader in environmental
awareness, Rawlings’ writings are a significant part of
state and national heritage.”
Born in 1896 in Washington, D.C., Rawlings graduated
from the University of Wisconsin in 1918 and worked as a
journalist for the next ten years. In 1928, she
purchased the farm and orange grove at Cross Creek and
continued to pursue her passion for writing. Rawlings is
the author of more than 35 books and short stories,
including The Yearling, which received the 1939 Pulitzer
Prize for fiction, and her memoir, Cross Creek. Her
writings serve as a keystone, connecting Florida’s
natural and cultural resources. The Rawlings house is a
notable example of early Florida architecture and is
open four days a week with tours led by park rangers. In
addition, visitors have access to the park’s hiking
trails, interpretive exhibits and activities year-round.
National Historic Landmarks are buildings, sites,
districts, structures and objects acknowledged as a
notable part of the nation’s history and culture.
Designated by the Secretary of Interior, fewer than
2,500 national sites hold this designation, with more
than 35 sites in Florida.
The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the
nation’s best state park service, Florida’s state park
system is one of the largest in the country with 159
parks spanning more than 725,000 acres and 100 miles of
sandy white beach. From swimming and diving in Florida’s
rivers and springs to birding and fishing or hiking and
riding on natural scenic trails, Florida’s state parks
offer year-around outdoor activities for all ages.
Battle reenactments and Native American festivals
celebrate Florida’s unique history, while art shows,
museums and lighthouses offer a window into Florida’s
cultural heritage.
For more information about Florida State Parks, visit
www.floridastateparks.org. | 
