British mapmaker Joseph Purcell drew the first known representation of the stunning Porter Lake in 1778. He passed the lake while traveling with the British returning from Pensacola. The interpretive panel sits along the wooden fence line to the right of the boat launch.

One of Washington County's magnificent large natural lakes, Porter Lake or Pond, is a popular recreation spot today. In the 19th and 20th centuries, however, it was part of an important cattle ranching area. These were the days of "free range" livestock in Florida. Ranchers would brand or otherwise mark their cattle and then turn the animals loose to freely range and feed themselves. Pristine bodies of water like Porter Lake provided water for the herds, while the natural grasses on the surrounding hillsides provided food. The state began to change this method of ranching in the 1920s by requiring ranchers to "dip" their livestock in concrete vats filled with chemical-laden water to eradicate ticks. One of these vats was located near Porter Lake.