Timucuan Preserve

Despite being on the outskirts of Jacksonville, we are fortunate to have the St. Johns River, the expansive beach and the unspoiled coastal wetlands of the Timucuan Preserve nearby. (See us at the blue dot!)

We visited the Timucuan Preserve twice for lovely walks through the hardwood hammocks where the beautiful spanish moss drapes the trees, and the salt marshes are a haven for birdlife .

The Theodore Roosevelt area (above) encompasses 600 acres and was bequeathed by Willie Browne. It’s considered one of the greatest gifts in the city of Jacksonville’s history. More on Willie Browne and his family here.

It is thought that there is 6,000 years of human history in this area and one can see ancient piles of discarded oyster shells which was thought to be the staple diet of the Timucuan and yields clues to an extinct culture.

these shells entangled in the roots of a fallen tree.

The St. Johns River and Ribault Column (part of the Fort Caroline National Memorial).

On the other side of the naval station and alongside the river we discovered this HUGE seafood market (Safe Harbor) and jointly owned restaurant where the fish is offloaded right in front of you.