Mannfield  Lat 28.784 Lon -82.444

Early pioneer, Austin Mann who in addition to citrus was active in the raising of cattle and sheep. Mann formed a company to dig and operate canals on the east side of the county. He was also active in politics and as the area’s State Senator Mann guided through Legislature the bill that created Citrus as a county in 1887.  He selected Mannfield as the first county Seat.
The village of Mannfield (geographically located in the center of the newly created county) was selected to be the acting Citrus County seat for two years, after which a vote of the county electors was to decide the permanent site. The village of Mannfield was selected to be the acting Citrus County seat for two years, after which a vote of the county electors was to decide the permanent site. Two factions soon developed: the supporters of Mannfield and those wishing to transfer the county seat to Inverness.  It appears that Mannfield was intended as a temporary county seat only. The county commissioners originally met at a local church, while court functions were conducted in the Moffatt and Gaffney residences, the latter of which rented for the sum of $19 per month.
Various inconclusive elections were held, until on May 4, 1891 Inverness won by a close vote. The controversy continued, however, and at times erupted into physical violence, since the Mannfield faction refused to accept the election results. Finally, this faction obtained a court injunction to block the transfer of the courthouse to Inverness To affect the transfer before the injunction could be served the Inverness faction moved the county government in the middle of the night in May 1891, transferring all county records, court furniture and fixtures in wagons brought for that purpose. The County Clerk, Captain W. C. Zimmerman, refused to move, and so was lifted up in his chair and placed in a wagon. Upon his arrival in Inverness, Zimmerman was unloaded and told to declare Inverness the new county seat.
The above comments were copied from internet genealogical society excerpts.  Submitted by Mike Woodfin

Mannfield was settled in 1884. In 1887 Hernando county was divided into Pasco and Citrus counties. Mannfield became the county seat of citrus. It once had a hotel, church, school, 3 general stores, a sawmill and a newspaper. In 1893 the railroad came through the county and bypassed Mannfield in faver inverness. Inverness became the new county seat. Soon after the old Mannsfield courthouse was put on logs and rolled 5 miles through the pines to the settlement of landrun and used as a private resedence. Nothing remains of Mannsfield, only a concrete foundation that might be a old bank vault. There is also a huge live oak tree that has split in half because of it's weight but is still alive. Might this be a hanging tree? Submitted by: Kenneth badgley

This is the main road into Mannfield across from the Tri-M Ranch.  You may only hike in or go on horseback.  No vehicles are allowed
Courtesy Michael Woodfin

As you start the descent into the Mannfield Pond area you will notice many large ancient Oaks and Cedar trees along the road.  This one had a possible beehive in it.
Courtesy Michael Woodfin

Capped Well on West side of Mannfield Pond.  Maybe an artisian well from the early days.  Mannfield Pond has been dry for decades.
Courtesy Michael Woodfin

This is the only structure left from the days of Mannfield.  There once was the remains of wooden structures that were visible about 50 years ago but no trace can be found now.
Courtesy Michael Woodfin

This old structure can be found on the North side of Mannfield Pond near the area of the trail with a lot of white sugar sand.
Courtesy Michael Woodfin

Mansfield
Courtesy Michael Woodfin

Mansfield
Courtesy Michael Woodfin

The Mannfield Cemetery is a small burial ground about 1/2 mile North of the Mannfield Pond adjacent to the marked hiking trail.
Courtesy Michael Woodfin

All but one of the markers are concrete posts with the initials of the person chiseled in some.
Courtesy Michael Woodfin

The only gravestone that is identifiable is Lucinda Wilson who was born in 1824 and passed away in 1897 at the age of 73 years young.
Courtesy Michael Woodfin

Satellite View ( circular clearing west of Trail 12)
Courtesy Andre Fiorentino