Middleburg in Clay County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Middleburg
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, April 4, 2017
1. Middleburg Marker
Inscription.
Middleburg developed in the early 1800s as a transportation center linking the St. Johns River with the peninsular interior. Originally settled in the 1820s as Clark´s Ferry, a crossing on Black Creek, it became a major military entrepot during the Second Seminole war (1835-1842) with establishment of Ft. Heilman. The Clark-Chalker House dates from that era, when the population reached 800. Served by roads and riverboats, Middleburg gained its name in the 1840s, thrived on the surrounding timber, citrus, and farm economy, and became the first Clay County seat of government in 1858. The United Methodist Church was built in 1847. The 4th Massachusetts Cavalry burned much of the town in 1864. Prosperity returned in the 1870s as river traffic and the citrus industry burgeoned. The population numbered 700 in 1890, before a devastating freeze (1895) and decline of the river trade undermined the local economy. Many houses in the unincorporated town date from the Victorian Era and are found in a historic district listed in the National Register of Historic Places (1990).
Middleburg developed in the early 1800s as a transportation center linking the St. Johns River with the peninsular interior. Originally settled in the 1820s as Clark´s Ferry, a crossing on Black Creek, it became a major military entrepot during the Second Seminole war (1835-1842) with establishment of Ft. Heilman. The Clark-Chalker House dates from that era, when the population reached 800. Served by roads and riverboats, Middleburg gained its name in the 1840s, thrived on the surrounding timber, citrus, and farm economy, and became the first Clay County seat of government in 1858. The United Methodist Church was built in 1847. The 4th Massachusetts Cavalry burned much of the town in 1864. Prosperity returned in the 1870s as river traffic and the citrus industry burgeoned. The population numbered 700 in 1890, before a devastating freeze (1895) and decline of the river trade undermined the local economy. Many houses in the unincorporated town date from the Victorian Era and are found in a historic district listed in the National Register of Historic Places (1990).
Erected 1990 by Main Street Preservation Project, Inc. in cooperation with the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-329.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion
Location. 30° 4.148′ N, 81° 51.633′ W. Marker is in Middleburg, Florida, in Clay County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Wharf Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Middleburg FL 32068, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 4, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 3, 2017, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 609 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 3, 2017, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
