Florida may be known for its coast-to-coast beaches, the entertaining tourist attractions in Orlando or even the historic nature of St. Augustine. Still, many people are unaware of the wonder that is Bone Valley. 

    The Bone Valley region of Florida is mainly known for its vast amounts of phosphate rock, which is used in the production of fertilizer. Phosphate is taken from the ore, cleaned and siphoned and shipped to fertilizer plants. On the downside, mining is a major threat to the wildlife in the area. The cleaning of phosphate rock leaves behind a massive lake of toxic sludge that poses a threat in the area around the mines. The only thing stopping it: a giant dam of sand and clay that keeps the sludge inside.

   Within all the destruction people will find many interesting artifacts. Bone Valley is named for the extensive discovery of Fossils found while mining in the region. Most of the fossils found can be found at Mulberry Phosphate Museum.  But bones are not the only thing that has been found in this region. Many ancient artifacts and even an old steam locomotive have been found while mining. These all are on display at Mulberry Phosphate Museum. 

   Bone valley is also home to the highest amount of ghost towns in the state. First is Nichols. Though Nichols is still technically a town, it only has a post office in plain view. If one does some snooping around they could find themself at the abandoned mine. The abandoned Nichols mine closed in 2001. This mine was used for not only phosphate but in the process of building nuclear weapons in the Cold War.    

   Brewster was a mining town in the early 20th century. The town would house miners and their families for easy access to mining. Once commuting from larger towns became more available, Brewster was shut down, leaving only a smokestack in the middle of a pasture.

   Bone valley is one of the most overlooked areas in Florida. It proves that through all the tourism and beauty of Florida, there lies destruction and economic factors hidden in plain view.