Highlands County Route 634 and Highlands Hammock State Park

Back in 2013 I took Highlands County Route 634 approximately 4 miles west from US 27/98 to Highlands Hammock State Park.

CR 634 is an interesting County Route due to the fact that it may actually continue west of High Land Hammock State Park as a dirt surface part of Hammock Road. The dirt segment of Hammock Road begins near the eastern entrance of Highlands Hammock State Park which continues as dirt westward to the western park boundary. The only publication I've seen showing CR 634 continuing west of Highlands Hammock State Park is on the park on park brochure. If the brochure is accurate then CR 634 is one of the few dirt Signed County Routes in Florida.

Highlands Hammock State Park Brochure

CR 634 was once Florida State Road 634. The only year I can find a reference for a Florida maintained route 634 was in 1956 when it was signed as Secondary Florida State Road 634.

1956 State Highway Map

On the 1964 State Highway Map I don't see a FL 634. The map might not provide enough detail to determine if FL 634 was actually present but it does suggest it was turned over to Highlands County some time between 1956-1964.

1964 State Highway Map

Highlands Hammock was established as a park in 1931 and predates the Florida State Park system by four years. When the Florida State Park system was established in 1935 Highlands Hammock was included as one of the first parks. Apparently there was some early movement in the 1930s to get Highlands Hammock absorbed by the National Park Service but it never happened. Highlands Hammock is noted for it's cypress swamps and old growth oak trees.

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