Panacea is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Wakulla County, Florida, United States. The population was 735 at the 2020 census, down from 816 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Tallahassee, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The mule drawn and wooden railed Panacea Team brought tourists from Sopchoppy. It is home to Gulf Specimen Marine Lab and its nature center.

History

The community was known as Smith Springs until 1893 when some Bostonians purchased the land about the five springs here and renamed the town Panacea, after the goddess of universal remedy, because of the curative properties of the waters. During the Civil War a large plant here supplied salt for much of western Florida. Most of the development in the area was destroyed by a hurricane in 1928.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 735 people, 284 households, and 199 families residing in the CDP.

Transportation

The Wakulla County Airport is located approximately 3 mi south of Panacea. It is the only airport in Wakulla County.