Half a Century Before the Pilgrims Landed on Plymouth Rock, the First
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Half a century before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth it prospered until 1888, when a yellow fever epidemic killed Rock, The first European settlement in North America was hundreds and forced thousands to flee for their lives. As the established on a bluff overlooking the St. John’s River, 12 city recovered, tragedy struck again on May 3, 1901, when the miles east of what is now downtown Jacksonville. Great Jacksonville Fire destroyed practically all of the down- On May 1, 1562, French Huguenots, Followers of the town area. The resilient spirit of the community persisted, and Protestant reformer John Calvin, started the short-lived colony the rebuilt Jacksonville was the leading city in Florida for more named Fort Caroline, while America’s oldest permanent settle- than 40 years. ment, St Augustine, was still a military encampment situated Shipbuilding flourished in Jacksonville, and by the end 35 miles to the south. Three years later, however, the Spanish of World War II, there were three Naval stations in Duval founder of St Augustine destroyed the French colony, and for County. In the years since the war ended, Jacksonville has be- the next 250 years, France, Spain and Great Britain fought one come a major banking, insurance and healthcare center in Flor- another and the Timucua Indians for control of the peninsula. ida. During the British ownership of Florida, a particular In 1968, Jacksonville consolidated its’ city and county river crossing on the St. Johns, used for taking cattle to grazing governments becoming the largest city in the world in terms of land, was known as “Cowford”. It was at this point, near where square mileage. With consolidation, Jacksonville began a new Bay and Liberty streets intersect today in downtown Jackson- era in its’ history. Public services were expanded, property ville, that farms and plantations were first settled. Not long taxes were reduced and a clean up of the St. Johns River was after the Spanish ceded Florida to the United States in 1821, completed. By 1994, Jacksonville’s population rose above Isaiah D. Hart founded a town at Cowford and named it Jack- 1,000,000. sonville, in honor of Andrew Jackson, the new territory’s pro- Jacksonville is in the midst of economic and cultural visional governor. growth complimented by increased community involvement. After Jackson became President, he made the city a The city’s average of 320 days of sunshine each year and an port of entry in 1831. Jacksonville survived the Civil War with anticipated future development have prompted residents to put only one major battle, the Battle of Olustee, fought nearby, and the sun in the middle of JackSUNville. The Jacksonville area has a very mild climate, with sunshine of any states in the country. some variation between summer and winter temperatures. De- The climate is considered semi-tropical, and many cember, January, and February are the coolest months with types of vegetation are found, from palm trees to evergreens. temperatures averaging 55-60 degrees and freezing tempera- Lofty pines and majestic oaks shade the city, and something is tures occurring about twelve times per year. During the day- flowering almost anytime of year. time, a light sweater or jacket is the most that is usually Because of favorable weather, Jacksonville’s lifestyle needed. centers around outdoor activities. Sports such as golf and tennis June, July, and August are the warmest months, with are played year-round, the fish are always biting, and back- an 80 degree average. Temperatures exceed 95 degrees only yard barbecue grills may be fired up in any season. about ten times per summer. In a normal year, Jacksonville receives fifty three inches of rainfall, much of it during the summer months. Florida has one of the highest daily rates of Residents may register to vote any time after moving to Jacksonville, except within 30 days prior to an election. You may register at the Supervisor of Elections main office at 105 E. Monroe Street (phone: 630-1410), or at any of four satellite offices in Duval county, all city libraries, and all drivers license offices, or you may register by mail. You will be asked to surrender your old voter card. Those under 18 must present a birth Certificate or a drives li- cense. Citizens who vote at least once every two years need not re-register. Florida and Jacksonville have some of the lowest taxes in the owner would then be taxed on $50,000. This exemption re- nation. There are only two kinds of personal taxes in Florida: mains with the home for the rest of the year even if the home a real estate tax, and a state sales tax on all purchases except is sold. Therefore, if a person buys a previously owned home food and medicine. which has a homestead exception currently on it, the new Any person who has legal or equitable title to real property in home owner receives the benefit of that exception for the rest Florida, and who resides there as his or her permanent home, of the year. He or she would , of course, have to refile in each is eligible for a $25,000 exemption form the city, county, and succeeding year, between January 1, and March 1, of that school board assessed values. This is referred to as the year, and must be occupying the home on January 1, to qual- “homestead exemption”. No length of residency is required ify. for this exemption, although it must be filed for each year. If The property tax rate varies somewhat from year to year and a home for example, (which is a primary residence) is as- also depends on the county and neighborhood in which the sessed at $75,000, a $25,000 may be subtracted, and the property is located. Drivers Licenses Automobile License Plates You must secure a Florida State drivers license within 30 days if All new Florida residents must register their automobiles and you claim a homestead exemption, take employment, register to vote or obtain license plates within 10 days of employment or enrolment of chil- place a child in school. A testing appointment may be made by calling an dren in school. You must bring with you proof if insurance, title, drivers examination station. A six-year license is issued after passing a vision test, license and the car. If your car is financed, have with you the account name driving ability test, and a written examination. You must bring with you and address of the company providing the financing. A small charge is two pieces of identification, including your current license. You may ob- made for changing title. License plate fees vary with the weight of the car, tain a Drivers Handbook at any drivers license examination office. up to forty dollars for the heaviest car. For details and branch locations, call 630-1916. Drivers License Examination Stations Auto Inspection: Not required. Auto Emissions inspection: Not required. (Some are closed on Mondays) Auto Insurance: The state of Florida has a compulsory no fault 7439 Wilson Blvd. 777-2122 insurance law for all private passenger vehicles. 1680 Dunn Ave. Suite 38 696-5955 1868 Parental Home Rd. 727-5546 10601 San Jose Blvd., Mandarin 262-1438 Animal Licenses 1720 N. 3rd St., Jax Beach 250-2511 Dogs and cats older than four months must be inoculated for 1302 Highway A1A East, Yulee 225-8947 rabies by a licensed veterinarian. The rabies tag must be worn by the ani- 360 Edwards Rd., Starke 964-8707 mal. The vaccination certificate, accompanied by a fee, must be mailed to 1670 Wells Rd., Orange Park 264-4368 the Tax Collector, Room 107, Duval County Courthouse, Jacksonville, 4255 S.R. 17 South, Green Cove Springs 529-2320 Florida 32202, to obtain a license. Proof of inoculation within the previous year from out of state will be acceptable. New residents are expected to comply with the law immediately. Call 287-8846 Animal Control. Regency Square on the Southside of Jacksonville near 9A and J. Turner Butler Blvd . This Mall is located in the Arlington area and is one of the largest shopping Gateway Shopping Center malls in the Southeast, with 157 stores. Regency Square is located at 9501 With 112 stores, this shopping center is located at 5320 Norwood Ave., Arlington Expressway. near I-95 Orange Park Mall Normandy Mall Located on the west side of the St. John’s River at 1910 Wells Road at This mall is located on the Westside of the city at 5205 Normandy Blvd. Blanding Blvd., this mall has 91 stores, including branches of most of our and Lenox Ave. department stores. Grande Boulevard and Deerwood Village Roosevelt Mall These complexes are at the intersection of Baymeadows Rd. and Southside 4400 Roosevelt Blvd., in Jacksonville’s Ortega section is the location for Blvd. in the Southside area offering a wide selection of quality merchan- this mall which attracts shoppers with branches of our large department dise. stores as well as many specialty shops. The Avenues St. Johns Town Center The Avenues located on 10300 Southside Boulevard at the intersection of St. Johns Town Center is conveniently located on 4663 River City Drive US 1 (Phillips Highway) and Interstate 95 (exit 339). Expressways and Bridges Schedules and fare information, call 630-3100. Jacksonville has an extensive expressway system, as well as broad major Air Travel thoroughfares. Although the city is large, traffic generally moves very well. Jacksonville International Airport, the largest of Jacksonville’s three air- Seven bridges and one ferry span the St Johns River. ports is served by many commercial air lines.