Jacksonville Research Paper

About Jacksonville

Beyond the unforgettable skyline of Jacksonville's downtown district, you will find a world of historic homes, moss-draped oaks, riverfront cafes, quaint century old neighborhoods, and beautiful beaches. The diversity and splendor of Florida's most expansive city is only matched in richness by the quality of life it is able to offer its residents.

Today, nearly 900,000 call the North Florida city of Jacksonville home. The vast landscape of the centuries old city is populated with a bustling downtown culture, hip urban developments, pristine beaches, and acres of magnificent untapped natural landscape. The area surrounding Jacksonville is a true paradise, and in contrast to the dynamic city, offers a retreat that enables

Johns River long before the Europeans graced the shores of the New World. The Native American tribe first lived in the densely wooded area developing a distinctive culture around 500 BC. However, it is unknown whether the Timucuan people descended from other earlier groups who lived in the area or migrated from elsewhere.

In 1562, the first European settlers made their way to Jacksonville's lovely shores. The French explorers built a short-lived settlement on the south bank of the St. Johns River. The French settlement only lasted a few short years until, in 1765, the French fort was laid waste by the Spanish. The Spanish, having conquered most of Florida seized the area held by the French and established Fort San Mateo which became part of the vast Spanish mission system.

For nearly 200 years the Spanish lived off the land with the help of the native people, many of whom the Spanish had converted to Catholicism. In 1763, Spain gave control of their territory to the British and left. When the Spanish left Pensacola, they took the few remaining members of the Timucuan tribe with

However, European rule ended when in 1821 Florida was entered as a U.S. territory. During the subsequent years, plantations became an important part of life along the St. Johns River. In 1822, two Pensacola area settlers donated land to be utilized as a 'proper' town. The combined lands formed the base of what was to become Jacksonville. The name of the site was decided in honor of the territory's first governor, Andrew Jackson.

The port city of Jacksonville soon found its footing exporting regional goods, such as cotton, lumber and oranges. Soon, Jacksonville became the established commercial center of the Florida territory. Jacksonville's location proved to be valuable for more than shipping goods. By the late 19th century, the area was inviting more than 70,000 visitors annually who were in search of a respite from the harsh Northern climate. Hotels and communities in Jacksonville so that they may accommodate the many area