Northside in Jacksonville in Duval County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Huguenot Memorial Site
On Friday, May 1, 1562, Ribaut's party first landed in the New World here on the east shore of Xalvis Island. In the presence of friendly Indians, the Frenchmen fell to the ground and gave thanks to God in the first Protestant worship service held in the New World.
Ribaut sailed on up the coast where he founded the colonial settlement of Charlesfort - named in honor of his king. Charlesfort did not last and in 1562 a Huguenot settlement - Fort Caroline - was established on the St. Johns. There, sometime before 1565, the first Protestant white child was born in what is now the United States.
On his second voyage to the Americas in 1565, Ribaut and his men were shipwrecked near St. Augustine. The bold explorer and most of his followers were cold-bloodedly murdered at Matanzas Inlet, near St. Augustine, by Spanish Governor Pedro Menendez, who feared the encroachment of France on Spain's Florida empire.
Erected 1967 by Florida Board of Parks and Historic Memorials. (Marker Number F-138.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Military • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is May 1, 1762.
Location. 30° 24.668′ N, 81° 25.235′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville, Florida, in Duval County. It is in Northside. Marker is on Huguenot Memorial Park Road, 0.2 miles east of Heckscher Drive (State Road A1A), on the right when traveling east. This historical marker is located in Huguenot Memorial Park, just in front the pay station where visitors must pay admission before entering the park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jacksonville FL 32226, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. St. George Episcopal Church (approx. half a mile away); Jean Ribaut (approx. 0.9 miles away); Pilot Town/Napoleon Bonaparte Broward (approx. 0.9 miles away); Ribault Club Inn (approx. 1.2 miles away); U.S. Merchant Marine (approx. 1.2 miles away); French Huguenots in North America (approx. 1.2 miles away); Fort George Island (approx. 1.2 miles away); Site of the Mission of San Juan del Puerto (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.
Also see . . .
1. Jean Ribault. This is a link to a discussion of the role of Jean Ribault in the history of the United States of America (Submitted on July 23, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
2. Jean Ribault Claims Florida for France. This is a link to a site provided for by Exploring Florida: A Social Studies Resource for Students and Teachers. (Submitted on July 23, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
3. Huguenot Memorial Park History. This is a link to a site that features information about Huguenot Memorial Park. (Submitted on July 23, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,802 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 24, 2010, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.