In the cool shade of tall trees in the Homosassa state park this morning, two local groups officially dedicated a new historical marker.

Members of the Homosassa Civic Club and The Women of Sugarmill Woods joined with Citrus County Commissioner Gary Bartell, Dawn Faherty, legislative aide to state Rep. Ron Schultz, and Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park manager Art Yerian to commemorate the occasion.

Diane Toto, Homosassa Civic Club, spoke of the significance of the event. "This is the culmination of a two-year effort, and this is the crown jewel," Toto said. "There are so many historic places in Old Homosassa, and it's important people don''t forget about our history."

The marker, located at the park's west entrance on Fishbowl Drive, pays tribute to William Cooley, Indian fighter and surveyor for the U.S. Army, who originally settled his family near Fort Lauderdale in 1823. After Indians massacred his wife and three children in 1836, Cooley traveled up the Gulf Coast looking for the Indian chief he believed had killed his family.

In 1841, Cooley moved into Indian-occupied Homosassa with the other former soldiers to homestead under the U.S. Army Occupation Act, and he opened a general store at the springs. He served as a justice of the peace and Homosassa’s first postmaster. He also grew sugar cane and cut cedar timbers for export. Cooley sold all his holdings in 1849 to David Levi Yulee (there is another marker not far away at the Yulee Sugarmill ruins) and moved to Tampa.

Toto told attendees that markers like those dedicated today will be placed in a total of 18 places in the area to inform residents and visitors of the importance of Homosassa's place in history, and to encourage the business climate in those areas where markers are placed for visitors to read. In addition, she said, the county will also put out bronze plaques at different locations.

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park Manager Art Yerian said the marker at the park today will be seen by more than 300,000 park visitors yearly.

During the ceremony, Toto acknowledged the help of the Citrus County, Inverness and Brooksvile historical societies with making the project a reality, as well as the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce. Funds for the brochure were provided by the Florida Humanities Council, Citrus County, WalMart and the Homosassa Civic Club.

The two local groups also joined in an effort to print a 12-panel brochure highlighting Homosassa history, which will be placed in restaurants, hotels and other area businesses.