to be used as a subdivision consisting of over 34,000 homesites. (Elkcam Boulevard, a prominent street in Citrus Springs, is "Mackle" spelled backwards.) The area currently has two elementary schools (Citrus Springs Elementary School and Central Ridge Elementary School, opened fall 2008) and one middle school (Citrus Springs Middle School). There are plans for an high school campus complete with public park, but construction is not planned in the near future. Phosphate mining played a major part in the history of Citrus County until the end of World War II, when phosphate mining largely moved overseas. The first newspaper of Citrus County was called the Phosphate Times. Many abandoned mines exist in the Withlacoochee River basin, with a concentration of those within Citrus Springs. Some of those areas can be seen at one of Citrus Springs' two golf courses, El Diablo. Many of those mines were part of the Dunnellon Phosphate company, headed by Capt John L. Inglis, a veteran of the Civil War. Areas in northeastern Citrus Springs were part of a proposed but unbuilt portion of the Cross Florida Barge Canal to aid the transportation of the mineral. The Withlacoochee State Trail, a bike riding trail which was converted from the railroad lines built in the early 1900s, runs through Citrus Springs, in places parallel to US 41. Education The CDP is served by Citrus County Schools. Residents are divided between Citrus Springs Elementary and Central Ridge Elementary. All residents are zoned to Citrus Springs Middle School. Portions of the CDP are zoned to Citrus High School, Crystal River High School, and Lecanto High School. References External links Citrus County Visitors & Convention Bureau Citrus Springs Civic Association directory Census-designated places in Citrus County, Florida Census-designated places in Florida