Yulee in Nassau County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
John Muir's Walk on the Florida Railroad
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, July 17, 2020
1. John Muir's Walk on the Florida Railroad Marker
Inscription.
John Muir's Walk on the Florida Railroad. . Early in his career, famed naturalist John Muir passed this location on his “Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf” from Indiana to Cedar Key in 1867. From Fernandina, Florida, Muir followed the route of the Florida Railroad, the first rail line to connect the east and west coasts of the state. The railroad’s route is largely paralleled by the current highways Florida A1A/SR 200 from Fernandina to Callahan, then US 301 from Callahan to Waldo, and then Florida 24 from Waldo to Cedar Key. Due to the area’s thick vegetation, swamps, and bodies of water, Muir believed that walking the Florida Railroad route would be the most efficient way to travel through the state on foot. Muir’s trek was no easy feat. He suffered from malaria, dodged alligators, and encountered many other obstacles. Even so, during his adventure, Muir meticulously documented North Florida’s flora and fauna, which contributed greatly to the field of natural studies. Afterwards, Muir relocated to California, where he was instrumental in creating Yosemite National Park and cofounding the Sierra Club. A journal of Muir’s experiences in his 1867 journey, titled A Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf was published in 1916, two years after his death.
Early in his career, famed naturalist John Muir passed this location on his “Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf” from Indiana to Cedar Key in 1867. From Fernandina, Florida, Muir followed the route of the Florida Railroad, the first rail line to connect the east and west coasts of the state. The railroad’s route is largely paralleled by the current highways Florida A1A/SR 200 from Fernandina to Callahan, then US 301 from Callahan to Waldo, and then Florida 24 from Waldo to Cedar Key. Due to the area’s thick vegetation, swamps, and bodies of water, Muir believed that walking the Florida Railroad route would be the most efficient way to travel through the state on foot. Muir’s trek was no easy feat. He suffered from malaria, dodged alligators, and encountered many other obstacles. Even so, during his adventure, Muir meticulously documented North Florida’s flora and fauna, which contributed greatly to the field of natural studies. Afterwards, Muir relocated to California, where he was instrumental in creating Yosemite National Park and cofounding the Sierra Club. A journal of Muir’s experiences in his 1867 journey, titled A Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf was published in 1916, two years after his death.
Erected 2017 by East Nassau Stewardship District and the Florida Department of State
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. (Marker Number F-961.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.
Location. 30° 37.443′ N, 81° 38.09′ W. Marker is in Yulee, Florida, in Nassau County. Marker is on Route A1A/200, 0.1 miles east of Wildlight Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yulee FL 32097, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Marker found on the opposite end of the railroad.
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, July 17, 2020
2. John Muir's Walk on the Florida Railroad Marker
With companion marker in background.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 490 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 22, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
