Jacksonville History

From Cowford to Winter City

The area that is now Jacksonville was originally inhabited by the indigenous Timucua people who inhabited the area for thousands of years before the arrival of European explorers. The city's location on the banks of the St. Johns River made it a desirable location for settlement, trade, and commerce.

 In 1562, French explorer Jean Ribault sailed up the St. Johns River and claimed the area for France, where the first European settlement was established at Fort Caroline, the first Protestant colony in America. It was later ceded to Spain after Spanish soldiers from St. Augustine after conquering the French. It was named “Cowford” for the narrow spot on the river where cows were ferried across.

In 1821, the United States acquired colonial Florida from Spain and renamed the city for Andrew Jackson, the first military governor of the Florida Territory who later became President of the United States.

During the Civil War, Jacksonville was a strategic location for both the Union and the Confederacy. It was a key supply point for hogs and cattle for the Confederate army but was occupied by Union troops for much of the war, after which the city was largely destroyed. After the war, Jacksonville was rebuilt and continued to grow and prosper.

“I have never seen a place where there are so many opportunities for pleasant everyday living - good houses, good streets, beautiful parks, splendid beach, good schools, excellent churches, and fine business blocks.” – James Weldon Johnson, writer and civil rights activist, 1898

Trial By Fire

In the mid-to-late 19th century, Jacksonville became known as an oasis for those looking to escape the chilly northern climates. With its warm, sunny weather, stunning beaches, bustling port, and thriving waterways, the city beckoned visitors from all corners of the globe.

It was a place where time seemed to stand still, where the worries of the world faded away under the warm Florida sun. But it was not a paradise immune from tragedy.

One of the most significant events in Jacksonville's history was the Great Fire of 1901, which quickly spread and destroyed much of the city's business district. It remains the largest urban fire to occur in the South. Over 2,000 buildings were lost, leaving over 10,000 people homeless. Despite the devastation, the city was rebuilt, and many of the buildings that were constructed after the fire still stand today.

The city continued to grow, and it wasn't just the natural beauty of the Florida coast that drew people in. Jacksonville was also a major shipping port, with busy waterways that brought in goods and people from all over the world. This created a vibrant, multicultural community, with a rich tapestry of languages, customs, and traditions.

Winter Film Capital of the World

Jacksonville's warm climate, exotic locations, and excellent rail access proved irresistible to moviemakers from New York, who flocked to the city in the early 1900s. At one point, there were over 30 motion picture studios in Jacksonville, making it the undisputed "Winter Film Capital of the World.” 

Jacksonville's river and ocean port were the pulse of the city for many years, driving growth and development, and drawing people from far and wide. With each passing year, the city became more prosperous, more vibrant, and more cosmopolitan, establishing itself as a major player in the South's business landscape.

In The Big Leagues

And then, in 1993, everything changed. The National Football League granted Jacksonville a franchise, catapulting the city onto the national stage and setting it on a course for a new era of success and recognition. It was a turning point in the city's history, a moment when everything seemed possible, and anything could happen.

From its inception, Jacksonville has been a place of wonder and enchantment, a true jewel of the South. And even today, with all its modern amenities and conveniences, it still retains that magical quality that drew visitors so many years ago.