Fruit Cove in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Beluthahatchee

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, August 1, 2023

1. Beluthahatchee Marker

Inscription. "Beluthahatchee", as defined by noted author Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960) is a mythical "Florida Shangra-la, where all unpleasantness is forgiven and forgotten." When Florida author/activist Stetson Kennedy moved here, the site was named and set aside as a wildlife sanctuary. After WWII, he infiltrated and exposed the KKK and other groups. Kennedy's books included Palmetto Country (1942), Southern Exposure (1946), Jim Crow Guide (1956), and The Klan Unmasked (1957). The latter two were translated around the world. This site served as headquarters for his pioneering 1950 "total equality" write-in bid for the U.S. Senate. His book, After Appomattox, was completed here in 1955, with the help of his then wife Joyce Ann. That year he won the Gustavus Meyer Award for doing the most to combat bigotry. In April 2005, Kennedy was inducted into the Florida Artist's Hall of Fame. Beluthahatchee also served as a Florida hangout for American's legendary folk balladeer, Woody Guthrie. Here Guthrie completed his autobiographical book, Seeds of Man, and over 80 songs, including "Beluthahatchee Bill." This site was designated a Literary

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Landmark by Friends of Library-USA in 2003.

Erected by St. Johns County.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1950.

Location. 30° 5.281′ N, 81° 37.757′ W. Marker is in Fruit Cove, Florida, in St. Johns County. It can be reached from Florida Route 13 0.1 miles south of Roberts Road. Marker is located near the parking area for the park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1523 State Road 13, Saint Johns FL 32259, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in First Coast

and in Greater Jacksonville.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, August 1, 2023

2. Beluthahatchee Marker

of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Welcome to Beluthahatchee Park (a few steps from this marker); History of Beluthahatchee (within shouting distance of this marker); Stetson Kennedy (within shouting distance of this marker); Woody Guthrie (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named History of Beluthahatchee (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Beluthahatchee (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Johns County / New Switzerland Plantation (approx. 1.4 miles away); Alpine Groves (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fruit Cove.

Also see . . . Stetson Kennedy. (Submitted on August 8, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)

Stetson's Books image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, August 1, 2023

3. Stetson's Books

Stetson's Human Rights Activism image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, August 1, 2023

4. Stetson's Human Rights Activism

Beluthahatchee House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, August 1, 2023

5. Beluthahatchee House

Credits. This page was last revised on April 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 470 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 8, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.