Category: Jacksonville

At the time of the Civil War, Florida’s economy was poppin’.  The state thrived off of agricultural trade, livestock, and other goods.  Railroads and rivers helped transport supplies throughout the state.

When the war broke out in 1861, Florida joined the Confederacy.  General Robert E. Lee ordered the construction of defenses along the coast of the river to protect the supplies being imported via the river.  One of these earthworks, was Yellow Bluff Fort.

Fun Fact:  Earthworks are mounds of dirt used for defensive fighting.

Despite the name, there was never an actual fort on Yellow Bluff.  Instead, it was a fortified encampment. T-shaped earthworks covering about 1.3 acres were constructed on the banks of the St. Johns River.  These defensive mounds were commonly used throughout the Civil War because they were relatively quick to construct and rather inexpensive.  These mounds protected not only soldiers but guns and canons, as well.

Construction of the site began in 1862.  Interestingly, the site was occupied by both Union and Confederate troops during construction.  

At its peak, this small encampment was home for more than 250 soldiers.  Yellow Bluff Fort served to protect shipping supply lines to Jacksonville via the river.

The park is located on Yellow Bluff peninsula on the north side of the St. Johns River.  It is located on New Berlin Road.