San Marco in Jacksonville in Duval County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Villa Alexandria

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, May 1, 2015

1. Villa Alexandria Marker

Inscription. Villa Alexandria, built in the 1870s as the winter home of Alexander and Martha Mitchell of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, once stood near here. Martha Mitchell's brother, Harrison Reed, served as Florida Governor from 1868-73 and lived nearby on the south bank of the St. Johns River. While visiting him, Mrs. Mitchell became enthralled with this setting and purchased 140 acres that became known as Villa Alexandria. During the late 19th century, Villa Alexandria was “the show place of the environs of Jacksonville.” Harriet Beecher Stowe, also a winter resident, described its large frame house as an "Italian Swiss Villa." The grounds featured carriageways, extensive vegetation, a boathouse, orange groves, a swimming pool, fountains, pools and artificial streams. Mrs. Mitchell was one of the three founders of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association of the Union, which helped to preserve George Washington's home. In Jacksonville, she helped to establish St. Luke's Hospital Association, which she served as president for 25 years, and All Saints Episcopal Church. She died in 1902 and is buried in St. Nicholas Cemetery. Villa Alexandria

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was demolished around 1925 to make way for the San Marco subdivision.

Erected 2013 by The San Marco Preservation Society and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-777.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Government & Politics • Women.

Location. 30° 18.039′ N, 81° 39.302′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville, Florida, in Duval County. It is in San Marco. It is at the intersection of River Road and Arbor Lane, in the median on River Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jacksonville FL 32207, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

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the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: San Marco (approx. ¼ mile away); Oriental Gardens (approx. 0.6 miles away); South Jacksonville City Hall (approx. 0.7 miles away); Philips ~ Craig Swamp Cemetery (approx. 0.8 miles away); Old Philips Congregational Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); Douglas Anderson School (approx. one mile away); Fort San Nicholas (approx. one mile away); Treaty Oak Conservation Project Dedication (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 916 times since then and 85 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on March 18, 2016, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?