St. Johns Bluff in Jacksonville in Duval County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Staking a Claim
Ribault Monument - Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 31, 2011
1. Staking a Claim Marker
During the sixteenth century, France was determined to expand its empire. Spain, the world's leading power, already had a foothold in the Americas, and France wanted to share of the riches the Spanish were gaining through trade and plunder. France's first attempt to stake a permanent claim in the present-day United States of America was at La Caroline.
Today the strategic importance of the St. Johns River is still apparent. From the monument you can look east to the mouth of the river and Mayport Naval Station. The port of Jacksonville is located to the west - evidence of the river's economic importance to residents of the area. As in the sixteenth century, the waterways of the Timucuan Preserve sustain society in a variety of ways.
French explorer Jean Ribault claimed this area for France when he erected a column on the south bank of the St. Johns River in 1562.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Colonial Era. A significant historical year for this entry is 1562.
Location. 30° 23.279′ N, 81° 29.378′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Florida’s First Coast. 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 walking distance of this marker: Ribault Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); New France (within shouting distance of this marker); Timucuan Preserve (within shouting distance of this marker); Spanish Pond (approx. half a mile away); The River of May
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 31, 2011
2. Staking a Claim Marker
Also see . . . A Foothold in Florida. NPS page discussing the French claim in Florida. (Submitted on August 27, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 31, 2011
3. Entrance to the Ribault Memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 892 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 27, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
