Fort George Island is located between Jacksonville and Fernandina Beach and is rich with history. It is bordered by the marshes of the St. Johns River estuary. The park is one of seven state parks known as the Talbot Island State Parks. The other six state parks are Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve, Amelia Island, Little Talbot Island, Yellow Bluff Fort, Big Talbot Island and George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier
The French and Spanish explorers who arrived at Fort George found the island inhabited by Timucua Indians. Many relics of this era remain today. In 1736, James Oglethorpe built Fort George in order to protect the southern border of the colony called Georgia. The fort was eventually abandoned and ownership of the area went to the Spanish. Americans obtained vast farms and plantations on the island even though it was Spanish owned. The most well known of these plantation owners is Zephaniah Kingsley. After control of the island returned to America, Kingsley became a supporter of rights for freed slaves. His home and the remnants of the tabby cabins of his slaves remain on the island today.
In 1928, the Ribault Club was built for the rich, wealthy and famous who visited the island frequently. The exclusive club built in the architectural style of Colonial Revival was the spot for Northerners escaping the the cold. Recreation included tennis, golf, yachting, hunting and fishing. Today, it serves as a visitor center with meeting space and special event rooms. Boats, canoes, and kayaks can be launched just behind the club.
We walked around back where the boats are launched. The park ranger came around to work and we had to admire his tools. Biggest weed eater we ever saw!
Once we tore the guys away from the display on the truck bed, we hopped on the bikes to look around. I was surprised to learn that there are several residences on the island.
The Admiral Blue/Nelmar home on Ft. George Island for sale for $1,450,000
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| How many peacocks can you see? |
The island even has a church, St. George Episcopal. Built in 1882 at a time when the island was accessible only by boat, it is an example of Carpenter Gothic which included steep gabled roof, bell tower, narrow rectangular building, and pointed lancet windows. (This church reminds me on the one we visited in Green Cove Springs with its similar architectural style) The doors are painted bright red a tradition in The Episcopal Church leading the way to holy ground where anyone who enters is safe from physical and spiritual harm.
The church website writes the following about its red doors:
We proclaim with our red doors that our church is a haven for emotional and spiritual healing, and is a place of refuge and safety, forgiveness and reconciliation -- in other words, red doors invite the passers-by into a space filled with the Holy Spirit.
The color red also evokes the blood of Jesus Christ, which protects the wayfaring soul from spiritual harm.
Jesus Christ is our refuge. The red doors at St. George remind us that our parish community too must be a refuge for all those who enter through them. In this holy place, there will be no outcasts. Our doors are open to all!
Stay tuned tomorrow for more of Fort George Island
Joy
Well now, how cool it that!!! We love the Ribault Club & Kingsley Plantation area. There used to be a Segway tour from the Ribault back through the old plantation that we did a couple of times - loads of fun! They had Segways with big knobby tires for tracking the trails through the woods. The same folks still give waling tours but gave up the Segways. We've always admired the Ribault as a wonderful reception site.... Go up to the ferry and cross the water - there's a great little "knot on the dock" seafood place to the right just on the other side. Darn if I can remember the name and my brain isn't home from work yet. We know that area well - ENJOY!!!
ReplyDeleteSingleton's Seafood Shack - that's it - and shack it is!!! But that means the food is good.
ReplyDeleteYou got to it before I had the chance--I was going to say Singleton's Seafood or Sand Dollar. Sand Dollar is on the same side of Kingsley etc. We had a great meal at Sand Dollar and didn't have to take the ferry to cross over. I think I remember you all tell us about the Segway tour. It is such a pretty place and you are right--a perfect place for a reception. We have headed south on the St. Johns and are currently in Palatka at the FREE dock! No internet- posts will be limited. We will have to make a trip to Singleton's when you and Nancy come for a visit.
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