|
The Florida coastline is the birthplace of numerous historical sites and attractions for the professional and amateur historian. For the wilderness seeker, Florida also has abundant forests, parks and refuge centers for visitors to explore and enjoy.
First stop Fort Matanzas National Monument on Rattlesnake Island just 14 miles south of St. Augustine. This 298-acre park also inhabits the southern section of Anastasia Island. At Fort Matanas you will find a succession of watchtowers built by early settlers from Spain. Built in 1740 the fort provided protection of food shipments during the British blockade. The stone structure consisting of a two-story sentry tower and a platform for six cannons was built in 1742. The park's Visitor Center is located on Anastasia Island and houses exhibits from the 1565 massacre of the Huguenots. A free ferry for visitors runs from Anastasia and Rattlesnake Islands.
Traveling inland a bit located east of Ocala highway, you will discover Ocala National Forest. More than 300,000 acres, this sub-tropical forest is home to the world’s largest stand of sand pines. The forest contains miles of hiking trails along the streams and through the woods. Freshwater lakes and natural springs make for a paradise of lush tall palms and numerous sub-tropical plants. You will certain to see large herd of deer and a variety of birds in this natural wildlife preserve.
Traveling north up the coast to Jacksonville, you will find the home of Fort Caroline. The French Huguenots settled here near the St. Johns River around 1564, where they built the fort. The Spanish from St. Augustine captured the original fort in 1565. However, the French returned to reclaim and burn the fort in 1568. A smaller replica now graces this site.
Not too far from Fort Caroline on Fort George Island, you can visit the Kingsley Plantation. A forty-acre estate formally a cotton plantation farmed by slaves from Africa. This site is also home to two of the oldest houses built in Florida. The John McQueen house built in 1791 and the Zephaniah Kingley house built by the plantation owner and politician in 1817. The Kingley house hosts historical artifacts and exhibits and is open to visitors.
Just a bit further north lies 200 acres of exquisite white beach known as Amelia Island. A tropical paradise where hikers can travel beautiful winding trails and beachcombers can bask in the sunshine on quiet strolls along the shell lined beach. A must see for birdwatchers as Amelia Island is home to waterfowl and shorebirds along the islands scenic inlets, lagoons and marshes.
Twelve miles north of Amelia Island is Fort Clinch State Park. Home of this 1864 Civil War era fort. The park is also home of a sandy beach and 1,500-foot-long pier just waiting for fisherman to cast for salt-water fish.
Now let’s go inland once more and pay a visit at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and the Okefenokee Swamp. Located in northeast Florida and into southern Georgia the 694-square-mile swamp is home to the black bear, otters, alligators, owls, ducks, cranes, woodpeckers and a variety of other birds and woodland creatures. Slash pines, towering Cypress, Laurel and Magnolias trees abound on sandy islands. Visitors can travel by canoe through the swamp and campers are welcome at specially constructed sites in the Wildlife Refuge. At the northern entrance of the refuge facilities include Pioneer Island, a serpentarium, a nature trail on a raised boardwalk and an exhibit center.
| 
