Fort George Island near Jacksonville in Duval County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
A Very Comfortable Habitation
"[In 1869] Mr. Rollins made certain changes; adding two rooms to the Big House by connecting the corner rooms on the east and west, removing the chimney on the west and also several other chimneys erroneously believing that the mild winter of that year was typical of all Florida winters...The latticed walk between the two houses was built.
...[In 1886] The central room in the main house was divided as at present and the stairs were moved inside, the walnut doors were substituted for the large folding doors in the hall..."
Gertrude Rollins Wilson, 1955
Notes Concerning the Old Plantation on Fort George Island
"The house at the North end will be in the course of a month a very comfortable habitation, and in any other country a handsome situation, you will come and see it shortly I suppose, there are a great number of Fruit Trees of different kinds planted out..."
John McQueen (Junior) to Eliza Anne McQueen
Letter, 11 March 1798, from Fort George Island
"On the Fort George Island plantation, the invaders [during the Patriots' Rebellion, 1812-13] burnt every building except the dwelling house, and they stripped the dwelling house to the extent of taking all of the locks from the doors."
From the East Florida Claims, case of John H. McIntosh
"...passing in our route the fortified private plantation of Mr. Kingsley at Fort George, a very eligible position..."
John Miller, Narrative of a Voyage to the Spanish Main, 1819
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is March 11, 1798.
Location. 30° 26.382′ N, 81° 26.261′ W. Marker is near Jacksonville, Florida, in Duval County. It is on Fort George Island. Marker is on Palmetto Avenue, 2.1 miles north of Fort George Road, on the left when traveling north. This historical marker is located in a national park. The historical marker is in a very remote area that is reached by traveling a considerable distance on an unpaved dirt road. To get there one must turn north, off of the Florida State Route 1A (Heckscher Road), onto Fort George Road, and then traveling about 0.6 miles to the intersection of Fort George Road and Palmetto Avenue, were you turn north on Palmetto Avenue and travel to the end of this road to reach the historical marker. The turn-off from state route 1A can be identified by the "Kingsley Plantation, Fort George Island Visitor Center" sign that is situated right at the turnoff point. 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 walking distance of this marker. Looking Back (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Looking Back (here, next to this marker); Task System (within shouting distance of this marker); Plantation Crops (within shouting distance of this marker); Kingsley Plantation (within shouting distance of this marker); Plantation Slavery (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Kingsley Plantation (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Kingsley Plantation (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.
Also see . . .
1. Kingsley Plantation. This is a link to information provided by the National Park Service. (Submitted on February 26, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
2. Kingsley Plantation. This is a link to information provided by Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (Submitted on February 26, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 932 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 26, 2011, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.