When the Spanish arrived in northern Florida, the Ochlockonee River formed the western boundary of their
Apalachee Province. Late 17th-century Spanish documents refer to the river as Claraquachine and Amarillo (Spanish for "yellow"). A 1716 Spanish document called it Rio de Lagna (
lagna is probably Apalachee for "yellow"). An English map from 1720 identifies it as the Yellow River. A 1778 map spells the river's name "Okalockney", while one from 1856 has it as "Oklokonee". The modern name probably derives from the Hitchiti/Mikasuki
Oki (water) and
Lagana (yellow). From 1839 to 1842, Fort Virginia Braden was established on the river located at
Fort Braden in
Florida. The fort was named after the commander's wife who died of
yellow fever.
The Civil War The Ochlockonee River saw action during the
Civil War. On 15 July 1863, the screw steamer gunboat
USS Stars and Stripes and wooden side-wheel
steam ferryboat USS Somerset attacked the
salt works at
Mashes Sands. On 29 December 1863,
Stars and Stripes sank the
blockade-running schooner Caroline Gertrude, aground on the
sandbar at the mouth of the Ochlockonee.
Stars and Stripes also captured the blockade-running steamer
Laura off the Ochlockonee on 18 January 1864. On 19 and 20 October 1864,
Stars and Stripes destroyed an extensive Confederate fishery at
Mashes Island and captured the troops stationed there as guards.
Jackson Bluff Dam In 1927 the Jackson Bluff Dam was constructed on the Ochlockonee River to produce hydroelectric power. The waters held back by the dam formed Lake Talquin. == Importance ==