Switzerland in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
History of Alpine Groves Park
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, August 1, 2023
1. History of Alpine Groves Park Marker
The stable and wagon date from the late 1800s and are original to the site. The stable contained two stalls and a tack room. When John E. Harris purchased the property in 1937, he hoped to expand the orange production on the property and extended the stable to its current size of six stalls. The stable structure was restored with a grant from the State of Florida Division of Historical Resources in the early 2000s. The wagon displayed in the horse barn was commonly used on farms to transport goods and resources across the property. Local community members George, David and Davis Gilmore restored the wagon over a four month period in 2021. The hay rake located in the horse barn was generously donated by Drs. Dave and Christina Caro. This would not have historically been found on(sp) an orange grove, but would have been used by local farmers to collect or cut hay and allow it to dry before being baled.
Erected by St. Johns County.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.
Location. 30° 4.631′ N, 81° 39.04′ W. Marker is in Switzerland, Florida, in St. Johns County. Marker can be reached from Florida Route 13 just south of Swiss Lane. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Alpine Groves (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Johns County / New Switzerland Plantation (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named History of Alpine Groves Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Welcome to Beluthahatchee Park (approx. 1˝ miles away); Beluthahatchee (approx. 1˝ miles away); a different marker also named Beluthahatchee (approx. 1˝ miles away); Stetson Kennedy (approx. 1˝ miles away); History of Beluthahatchee (approx. 1˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Switzerland.
Also see . . . A Brief History of Alpine Groves Park. Friends of Alpine Groves Park website entry (Submitted on February 15, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, August 1, 2023
2. History of Alpine Groves Park Marker in front of stable
Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 74 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 8, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
