Dead Lakes, Trout's Kitchen & the Cypress Legacy
Dead Lakes got its name from the standing dead cypress trees that fill its waters. in 1837 a hurricane flooded the cypress forest with salt water from the Gulf of Mexico, killing the trees but preserving them in the tannic water. What remained became one of the most unique and hauntingly beautiful waterways in the Southeast.
Dead Lakes was once one of the best fishing places in the entire Southeast. Fed by the spring-fed Chipola River, these freshwater lakes attracted anglers from across the region for bass, bream, shellcrackers, and crappie.
The tannic waters preserved the ancient cypress trees, creating a treasure trove of old-growth wood. Bob discovered this extraordinary resource and built his driftwood business harvesting and carving these magnificent pieces of art.
Today, Dead Lakes remains a paradise for nature lovers—bird watching, fishing, boating, and swimming in crystal-clear spring-fed waters surrounded by towering cypress ghosts.
Long before WeWa RV Park, there was a magical place on Dead Lakes called Trout's Kitchen—a commercial kitchen built on cypress trees above the water, selling Coca-Cola and fish sandwiches by lowering a basket to boaters who arrived by the dozens.
Trout's Kitchen was a legendary commercial kitchen that existed on Dead Lakes, likely in the 1940s or early 1950s. Built on massive cypress trees above the lake, it served as a gathering spot for fishermen and boaters exploring the waterway.
Customers would arrive by boat, and a basket would drop down from the elevated structure. They'd place their money in the basket, and it would be raised back up. Moments later, the basket would descend again—this time filled with a fresh fish dinner and an ice-cold Coca-Cola.
The kitchen was likely destroyed by a hurricane in the late 1940s or early 1950s, swept away by the same powerful storms that have shaped Florida's Panhandle for generations. Today, Trout's Kitchen lives on only in the memories of those who visited and the stories passed down through the community.
Bob has been searching for people who remember visiting Trout's Kitchen when it was operating. If you or someone you know has stories or photos, please call him at (850) 639-5721.
Running through the back of WeWa RV Park, Stone Mill Creek is a spring-fed waterway with crystal clear, beautiful water. Perfect for swimming, fishing, and enjoying the natural beauty of Northwest Florida, the creek provides park guests with their own private access boat ramp.
Bob came to Dead Lakes on a fishing trip and fell in love with the area. He bought a small trailer park and moved to Florida, discovering the old-growth cypress driftwood that would change his life.
Bob purchased an adjacent 6.5-acre property and created what is now WeWa RV Park—transforming 11 acres into a peaceful retreat for RVers and water lovers.
WeWa RV Park now features 34 sites with full hookups, an on-site cypress driftwood trading post, a 36x48 barn filled with old grove cypress,and access to some of Florida's most beautiful natural waterways.