Fort George Island Cultural State Park- 5000 Years of Remarkable History

Fort George Island State Cultural State Park is located in Jacksonville, Florida about 3 miles south of Little Talbot Island State Park. The state park is home to the historic Ribault Inn Club which now serves as the island’s visitor center.

Fort George Island is part of the Talbot Island state park family. Much of the land in this part of Jacksonville is protected as preserves, state parks, and national parks. Although Florida is such a flat state, the island is home to the highest point on the Atlantic Coast south of New Jersey.

Despite it’s name, Fort George Island was never actually home to a fort. It was named after a fort from colonial Georgia. It has, however, been the site of human occupation for more than 5,000 years. On the island you’ll find pre-historic oyster mounds, a historic plantation, remnants of a slave quarter, tabby house ruins, and one of the most popular recreational clubs from the Roaring 20s.

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History of Fort George Island

The island was known as Alicamani, a major village of the Timucua chiefdom. Their presence can still be seen in the many oyster shell mounds that dot the landscape.

Later, the island served as the home to the Spanish mission of San Juan del Puerto. The mission was founded before 1587 at the mouth of the St. Johns River. The Franciscan mission served the Saturiwa, a Timucua tribe. The tribe was split into nine smaller villages where the missionaries studied the Timucua language. The Spanish abandoned the mission in the early 1700s due to raids from the Native Americans.

The most notorious site on the island is Kingsley Plantation– the oldest standing plantation in the state of Florida. The plantation was held by Zephaniah Kingsley for 25 years. Visitors examine the main house, kitchen, and several tabby slave quarters.

Another prominent feature on Fort George Island is the Ribault Club. This colonial revival was built in 1928 for winter recreation. The site was used for golf, tennis, hunting, fishing, and yachting for prominent people. The club suffered during the Great Depression and eventually closed its doors. The Ribault Club now serves as the Visitor’s Center.

Visiting Fort George Island Cultural State Park

The park is open from 8 AM until sundown, 365 days a year.

The Ribault Club is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 AM until 5 PM. It is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

There are no fees to enjoy this state park.

What is there to do at Fort George Island?

Bicycling– The Fairway Loop Trail is 4.4 miles long and is made up of paved road and hard-packed gravel. There is another 3-mile biking/hiking trail that covers the interior of the former golf course.
Boating- This is a huge party spot for boaters. You can also launch a kayak or canoe.
Fishing

Hiking- There is a 3-mile biking/hiking trail that covers the interior of the former golf course. On the trail you’ll see one of the tallest dunes on the eastern seaboard, Mount Cornelia (the largest point south of New Jersey). About 3/4 a mile north of the clubhouse, the trail comes to a T-junction. If you head right, you’ll spot Point Isabel, a historic fortified inlet where goods were ferried to and from the plantations. If you head left at the T, you’ll meet up with a National Park Service trail that leads to the historic Kingsley Plantation.

Fun Fact: Fort George Island is home to Jacksonville’s most popular sand bar. It’s truly a boater’s paradise! The sandbar is only accessible by water and every weekend during the summer you can find a few hundred boats rafted up. There is an awesome place to soak up the sun, enjoy the sandy beaches, and the cool water.