The park originated in 1973 when the Moor family deeded property to the state of Mississippi for use as a "living historical plantation."[2] In 2005, a bill introduced before the Mississippi Legislature authorized the disposal of Florewood Plantation State Park and four other state parks.[3] An auction company offered the "entirety of Florewood River Plantation State Park" at auction on July 23, 2005.[4] Although the department intended to keep the park open as a day-use facility with "picnic pavilions and picnic tables,"[5] the park was leased to Leflore County in 2007.[2][6]
In 2014, the Leflore County Board of Supervisors leased the shuttered state park to Hollywood movie producers for the shooting of "By Way of Helena" (later released as "The Duel"), a feature film with Woody Harrelson and Liam Hemsworth.[7]
After being stocked with blue gill in 2018,[8] Florewood River Plantation Lake was re-opened to the public for fishing in 2021.[9]
References
^"Florewood State Park". Parks and Destinations. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
^"House Bill 1657". Mississippi Legislature. Retrieved June 29, 2009. Section 19. ...Pursuant to the above mentioned authority, the Legislature hereby identifies the following state parks as properties to be promptly disposed of by the Commission through closure, transfer, lease or sale:...Florewood Plantation State Park.
