Jacksonville Attractions

Jacksonville

The city of Jacksonville, situated in the extreme north-west of Florida on the navigable St John's River, only 20 mi. from the Atlantic coast, is a major port and industrial centre as well as an important military base. The largest city in the United States in terms of area, it developed considerably in the 1980s and is now a major business and financial centre.

History In pre-Columbian times there was a settlement of the Timucua Indians here. The present town, named after the famous General Jackson, first Governor of Florida, was founded in 1822. It soon developed into an important port, one of the main centres for the export of the produce of the south (cotton, timber, cattle). Around 1884 the Jacksonville area, thanks to its spacious bathing beaches, enjoyed a brief period of prosperity as a holiday resort. During the two world wars, Jacksonville was a boom town with a flourishing shipbuilding industry and military training areas.
Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida and one of the largest (in terms of area) in the whole U.S. It is the commercial, financial and industrial center of Northern Florida and due to its location near the mouth of the St John's River, it is a transportation hub as well.

The city's origins go back to the 16th century, when French troops and settlers established a community nearby named Fort Caroline. However, the Spanish overtook it and the area did not see much development until the British founded the town Cowford to serve travelers on the King's Road from Savannah to St Augstine.

The city of Jacksonville was officially established when the U.S. acquired Florida back from Spain in 1821. A year later, local settlers named the city for General Andrew Jackson, the first military governor of the territory.

It experienced major setbacks in its history, notably, yellow fever epidemics, fire, and the Seminole and Civil Wars.

Today, however, Jacksonville is a modern city with a growing economy and population. It is especially vibrant in the fields of insurance, banking, and tourism.