About Jacksonville & St. Augustine
April 3, 2009 - Jacksonville, FL is named 6th in Tax-Friendly Cities! Click here for the Kiplinger.com report
History
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Long ago, Northeast Florida was first inhabited by Timucuan Indians who lived along creeks and waterways. The Spanish came into the area in 1513, led by Juan Ponce de Leon. He named the area La Florida and, in doing so, established the region's rich tradition of history and heritage. In 1564, the French built Fort Caroline in what is now Jacksonville, establishing the first Protestant colony in America. They lost their foothold in Florida to the Spanish, who conquered the French and built a settlement in nearby St. Augustine in 1565, 55 years before the Mayflower landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
A major page of history turned when Florida became a U.S. territory in 1821 and a year later at "Cowford" a narrow spot on the St. Johns River to ferry cows across, the town of Jacksonville was established (named after General Andrew Jackson). By the time Florida achieved statehood in 1845, Jacksonville was an important port in the cotton and timber trades.
During the mid-to-late 19th century, Jacksonville was billed as the "winter city in summerland" and became a haven for those seeking respite from colder northern climes. The warm, sunny climate, beautiful beaches, a major shipping port, and the busy waterways drew tourists from around the world.
A raging fire in 1901 destroyed 2,368 downtown buildings but launched a renaissance which set the city on its modern-day course. Although slowed somewhat by the depression, Jacksonville rebounded during World War II with the building of military installations. In 1968, the city and county governments were joined to create the geographically largest city in the contiguous 48 states. At about the same time, modern skyscrapers and additional bridges were built making way for major development south of the river.
For the next 25 years, Jacksonville's river and its ocean port again served as the lifeblood of the area, attracting many new residents, businesses and visitors. The city quietly evolved into a major business center of the South. In 1993, the quiet ended. The National Football League awarded a franchise to Jacksonville, pushing the city into the national spotlight and toward a new destiny.
Today, Jacksonville is an exciting vibrant city that maximizes its natural attributes and reaches out to welcome visitors.
Weather
Because of its North Florida location, Jacksonville has a temperate climate and a delightful change of seasons not found in other Florida cities. Year-round sunshine and blue skies offer mild weather, making a visit to Jacksonville pleasant, whatever the season.
Average annual temperature: 72.8 degrees
Average year-round high: 78 degrees
Annual number of sunny days: 226
Average Monthly Weather Information
|
Month |
Midday High (F) |
Evening Low (F) |
Surf Temp. |
|---|---|---|---|
|
January |
68.1 |
44.0 |
57 |
|
February |
69.0 |
46.3 |
56 |
|
March |
75.0 |
51.2 |
61 |
|
April |
79.0 |
56.9 |
70 |
|
May |
84.7 |
62.1 |
76 |
|
June |
89.3 |
69.1 |
80 |
|
July |
91.4 |
71.9 |
83 |
|
August |
90.7 |
71.8 |
83 |
|
September |
87.2 |
69.0 |
83 |
|
October |
80.2 |
59.3 |
75 |
|
November |
75.6 |
52.2 |
67 |
|
December |
72.3 |
50.4 |
60 |
The above information was provided by the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, FL and is based on data compiled from 1964-96.
For more information, contact the Visitor Information Department at 800-733-2668, Ext. 10, (904) 798-9111, Ext. 10 or via e-mail at visitorinfo@jaxcvb.com.
About St. Augustine
Welcome to St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest, continuously occupied European settlement in the United States. On September 8th, 1565, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles led an expedition which landed on our shores and claimed “La Florida” for Spain. St. Augustine has grown and prospered since this time under 5 different national flags of allegiance until becoming a part of the United States in 1845.
Steeped in history and beauty, the First Coast of Florida has many attractions and landmarks. Surrounded by three navigable waterways (the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Intracoastal Waterway in the center and the St. Johns River to the west), St. Augustine offers miles of fun in the sun and surf.
Some of St. Augustine's most popular landmarks include the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, a living history museum which interprets life in colonial, St. Augustine circa 1740; the Fountain of Youth Discovery Park, where it is said Ponce de Leon sought everlasting youth and the Mission of Nombre de Dios, where Pedro Menendez de Aviles first set foot on Florida’s shore. Still other landmarks include the Ponce de Leon and Alcazar Hotels built by Standard Oil magnate, Henry Flagler in the late 19th Century. Today those grand Victorian structures house Flagler College, St. Augustine City Hall and Lightner Museum. The original 1888 Casa Monica Hotel has been restored into a luxury hotel and provides world-class accommodations in downtown St. Augustine. The city has more than 50 attractions, historic sites and points of interest.
St. Johns County is proud of its excellent educational opportunities. Public and private schools are first rate with test scores among the highest in the state. Colleges and technical schools offer a wide variety of programs for all interests.
