Hidden History of Ponte Vedra

by Maurice J. Robinson

Overview

Ponte Vedra is well known for its beaches and world renowned for its PGA dream course, Sawgrass, but what did it look like before tourists flocked to the shores? How did Native Americans interact with the area before Spain's Ponce de Leon made his first landfall? How did Spanish rule shape the city? Join author Maurice Robinson on his journey through the hidden pages of Ponte Vedra history. Learn of America's first African fort, the community's first newspapers and the history of the city's unique Vicar's Landing. From pre-colonial beginnings to the development of Nocatee, these stories will show a side of Ponte Vedra rarely seen before.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781609498153
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	09/25/2012
Series:	Hidden History
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Maurice Robinson was transferred from Richmond, Virginia, to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, in 1993, as an accountant with CSX Corporation. He retired in 2003 after thirty-five years. Born in Virginia, he holds a bachelor's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and has completed classes at the University of North Florida. His interests focus on North Florida and especially the First Coast topics in St. Johns County, Florida. He now resides with his wife in historic Midlothian, Virginia.

Table of Contents

Preface 9

Acknowledgements 11

Introduction 13

Guana's Human Habitation 15

African Names and the African Diaspora to North Florida 29

Jonathan Dickinson's Journey through North Florida 44

Fort Mosé: First Free African Fort 48

Early Transportation in North Florida 55

Second Spanish Period in North Florida 67

Pontevedra, Spain, and Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 74

The Stockton Connection in North Florida 80

The First Ponte Vedra Newspapers 89

South Ponte Vedra Beach 93

Vicar's Landing 102

The Cultural Center 106

Nocatee: West of the Intracoastal 110

Notes 115

Sources 123

About the Author and the Artist 128