Near Green Cove Springs in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

William Bartram's Plantation

Photographed by Ray King, June 7, 2011

1. William Bartram's Plantation Marker

Inscription. In 1766 on the banks of the St. Johns River at Little Florence Cove, William Bartram attempted to farm a 500-acre land grant. Bartram had spent much of the previous year exploring the new British Colony of East Florida with his father, John Bartram, the Royal Botanist for America under King George III. When John Bartram returned home, near Philadelphia, the younger Bartram stayed in Florida. He hoped like many other settlers to make a fortune exporting cash crops such as indigo and rice. Using six enslaved Africans, Bartram cleared the forest and planted, but within a year he abandoned his farm and returned home. Bartram was known in England for illustrating his father's botanical specimens. Between 1773-1777 patrons financed Bartram's further exploration of the American Southeast. In 1791, he published his observations in Travels Through North and South Carolina, Georgia, East and West Florida, one of the most influential travel accounts of the American frontier. Rather than write a mere scientific catalog, Bartram produced a joyful and tender portrait of a virgin land "with an infinite variety of animated scenes, inexpressibly

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

beautiful and pleasing" which inspired the poets of England's Romantic Movement.

A Florida Heritage Site sponsored by the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners and the Florida Department of State.

Erected 2004. (Marker Number F-514.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Environment • Exploration • Horticulture & Forestry. In addition, it is included in the William Bartram Trails series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1766.

Location. 29° 59.423′ N, 81° 36.525′ W. Marker is near Green Cove Springs, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is on State Road 16 0.8 miles west of State Road 13 (State Road 13), on the right when traveling east. Just east of the SR 16 bridge over the St. Johns River near Green Cove Springs. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Augustine FL 32092, 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

Photographed by Ray King, June 7, 2011

2. William Bartram's Plantation Marker

The other side of the marker, looking east.

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: St. Augustine Confederate Memorial (approx. 2.4 miles away); William Wing Loring (approx. 2.4 miles away); 5”38 Caliber Single Mount Dual Purpose Gun (approx. 2.8 miles away); LARC-LX (approx. 2.8 miles away); Pratt Whitney R-2800 Twin Wasp Engine (approx. 2.8 miles away); “The Willys” (approx. 2.8 miles away); M151 Series Military Utility Tactical Truck (approx. 2.8 miles away); The M-170 Truck, Ambulance (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Green Cove Springs.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Fort San Fransisco de Pupo (was approx. 1½ miles away but has been confirmed missing).

William Bartram's Plantation Marker, looking east along Florida State Road 16 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, December 2, 2012

3. William Bartram's Plantation Marker, looking east along Florida State Road 16

William Bartram's Plantation Marker, looking west image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, December 2, 2012

4. William Bartram's Plantation Marker, looking west

Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2011, by Ray King of Jacksonville, Florida. This page has been viewed 3,164 times since then and 130 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 24, 2011, by Ray King of Jacksonville, Florida. 3, 4. submitted on December 2, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.