Urban Core in Jacksonville in Duval County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

REMOVED

SEE LOCATION SECTION

The Beginning

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2012

1. The Beginning Marker

Inscription. Here at the foot of Market St. stood a bay tree which served as the starting point for the original survey of Jacksonville in June 1822. Market was the first street laid off and named. A total of 20 squares were platted, bounded by Ocean, Duval, Catherine and Bay Sts. One of the first lots sold for $12 and was in the center of the present courthouse block.

Erected 1967 by Jacksonville Historical Society, Florida Historical Society, and Florida Board of Parks and Historic Memorials. (Marker Number F-149.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1822.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 30° 19.52′ N, 81° 39.273′ W. Marker was in Jacksonville, Florida, in Duval County. It was in Urban Core. It was on S Market Street near E Bay Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Jacksonville FL 32202, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally,

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this marker was in Florida’s First Coast.

It was also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 location: Duval County (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (about 500 feet away); The Plaza Building (about 600 feet away); "The Great Endurance Run" (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Jacksonville Free Public Library (approx. 0.2 miles away); Seminole War Blockhouse Site (approx. 0.2 miles away); Florida Pharmacy Association (approx. ¼ mile away); Immaculate Conception Church - 1907 (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.

Other markers no longer nearby. Duval County Vietnam Memorial and Veterans Eternal Flame (was within shouting distance

The Beginning Marker at S. Market Street near E. Bay Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, July 15, 2012

2. The Beginning Marker at S. Market Street near E. Bay Street

of this marker but has been permanently removed); Duval County's First Court (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); Site of Cow Ford (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. With the demolition of the courthouse annex this marker disappeared.

Additional commentary.
1. Jacksonville named for Jackson Smith
That marker is a great piece of history. That land was owned by Jackson Smith, who was a blacksmith and the first postmaster of the town, previously known as Gum Creek. The survey was commissioned by Dr. William Jackson. Jacksonville was named for Jackson Smith, whose land was surveyed.

— Submitted August 15, 2023, by Terry Shaw of Fort Myers, Florida.

The Beginning Marker near E. Bay Street, under present day tree image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, July 15, 2012

3. The Beginning Marker near E. Bay Street, under present day tree

The Beginning Marker on South Market Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, July 15, 2012

4. The Beginning Marker on South Market Street

Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,098 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 1, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 5, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.