St. Johns Bluff in Jacksonville in Duval County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Staking a Claim

Ribault Monument

— Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve —

Staking a Claim Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 31, 2011

1. Staking a Claim Marker

Inscription. 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, Florida, in Duval County. It is in St. Johns Bluff. Marker is on Ft. Caroline Road, on the left when traveling east. Located

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at the parking area for the Ribault Memorial (accessed from a driveway off Ft. Caroline Road) in the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jacksonville FL 32225, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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 (approx. half a mile away); Timucuan Friends (approx. half a mile away); The Building of la Caroline (approx. 0.6 miles away); Fort de la Caroline (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.

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

2. Staking a Claim Marker

Entrance to the Ribault Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 31, 2011

3. Entrance to the Ribault Memorial

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 724 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 27, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.