Ponte Vedra Beach in Nocatee in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
History of Palm Valley
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, February 28, 2024
1. History of Palm Valley Marker
Inscription.
History of Palm Valley. . The community of Palm Valley was established around 1901 and named for the abundance of palm trees in the area. It was founded on land once owned by 18th century rancher Don Diego Espinosa and known as Diego Plains. Although the area remained primarily agricultural, many residents supplemented their income by harvesting palms for Palm Sunday church services. They transported the palms to markets in northern states via the railroad and the canal. The main shipping dock was located at the foot of the Palm Valley Bridge. According to 1930 census records, 63 people lived in Palm Valley and by 1940, 3501 people lived in the area. The increase in population was due in part because of the opening of the Ponte Vedra Beach Resort and improvements to the Intracoastal Waterway. During prohibition, Palm Valley was known as a moonshine distilling center because of its prized palmetto berry spirits.
The community of Palm Valley was established around 1901 and named for the abundance
of palm trees in the area. It was founded on land once owned by 18th century rancher Don
Diego Espinosa and known as Diego Plains. Although the area remained primarily
agricultural, many residents supplemented their income by harvesting palms for Palm
Sunday church services. They transported the palms to markets in northern states via the
railroad and the canal. The main shipping dock was located at the foot of the Palm Valley
Bridge. According to 1930 census records, 63 people lived in Palm Valley and by 1940, 3501
people lived in the area. The increase in population was due in part because of the opening of
the Ponte Vedra Beach Resort and improvements to the Intracoastal Waterway. During
prohibition, Palm Valley was known as a moonshine distilling center because of its prized
palmetto berry spirits.
Location. 30° 7.961′ N, 81° 23.171′ W. Marker is in Nocatee, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is in Ponte Vedra Beach. It is on Lori Lane just east
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of Clatter Bridge Road, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located at grade just to the north of Palm Valley Road bridge (CR 210). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 230 Lori Ln, Ponte Vedra FL 32081, 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. 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.
Also see . . . Palm Valley. (Submitted on June 5, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, February 28, 2024
2. History of Palm Valley Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 115 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 5, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
