Thursday, August 22, 2013

Walter Jones Historical Park

Walter Jones Historical Park Entrance
Nature Man dedicates this Walter Jones Historical Park information summary to good friends and hard working Mandarin Museum & Historical Society volunteers Tracey and Sandy. Walter Jones Historical Park is located in the heart of Mandarin, Florida. Travel to the park by heading south on San Jose Blvd, after crossing under I-295, turn right on Mandarin Road and the park is .8 mile on the left at 11964 Mandarin Road.

                                                                                       Major William Webb
Saint Johns Riverfront Boardwalk
Major William Webb purchased 31.2 acres on the Saint Johns River in Mandarin in 1873. He built a home, barn and 1,000 ft. dock extending into the Saint Johns River. Walter Jones, proprietor of the Mandarin Store and Post Office, moved his family to the homestead in the early 1900's and his family members occupied the property until 1992. The City of Jacksonville acquired 10 acres of Major Webb's original homestead from the descendants of Walter Jones in 1994 for the purpose of creating the city's first historical park. The park opened to the public in August 2000 and includes the restored farmhouse, barn, outbuildings, sawmill, nature trail along a riverfront boardwalk, picnic area and restrooms. The park and farmhouse are handicapped accessible. The Mandarin Museum & Historical Society operates the park facilities under a contract with the city.

Webb Farmhouse
The original Webb family farmhouse structure consisted of a central hall, a parlor and two bedrooms surrounded on three sides by an open porch. It is connected by an open breezeway to the detached kitchen. In later years the bedrooms were enlarged to accommodate a growing family by enclosing one of the side porches. Additionally, a dining room and bedroom were added between the main house and the kitchen. The Webb Farmhouse has been restored to its turn of the century appearance with the help of a grant from the State of Florida Department of Historical Resources.


Mandarin Museum
Mandarin Museum and Historical Society
The Mandarin Museum & Historical Society's mission is to provide a venue to foster greater understanding, appreciation, enjoyment and stewardship of the natural and cultural heritage of the lower Saint Johns River basin through time. Guided tours of the farmhouse are available by advance reservation at 904-268-0784 or mandarinmuseum@bellsouth.net.

The Museum is open Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM. Additional information regarding the museum, park and programs and events can be found at the website 
www.mandarinmuseum.net.



Sawmills                                                                                                                                        
Sawmill
Many sawmills dotted the Mandarin shorelines in the late 1800's. An old Mandarin sawmill, on display on the property, was found in the woods on the shore of Julington Creek and donated to the
park in 1997. It's definitely a highlight on the property.


Mandarin History

In the late 1800's, Mandarin was a small farming village that shipped oranges, grapefruit, lemons and other fruits and vegetables to Jacksonville and points north on the steamships that traveled the Saint Johns River. In 1864, the union steamship, the Maple Leaf, hit a confederate mine and sank just off Mandarin Point. Author Harriet Beecher Stowe wintered in the village from 1867 to 1864. All of this and more is showcased on-site at the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society.

Wildlife
Numerous song and wading birds are available for you birding enthusiasts. A stroll out the nature trail along a riverfront boardwalk should provide ample wading bird sightings along the beautiful Saint Johns River. You may also witness a dive-bombing fishing Osprey or the Majestic Bald Eagle soaring over the Saint Johns River. Ancient Live Oak Trees draped with Spanish moss provide shelter and protection for numerous songbirds.

Nature Man Photography brings you the following:

Natural Nature Trail

Paved Nature Trail

Farmhouse Kitchen


1876 Barn
 

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