Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park- A Small But Mighty Stronghold

Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park is one of the seven Florida State Parks located in Jacksonville. The park itself is very small (it is only about 2 acres), but the site played an important role in the Civil War. Since it was strategically located at Dames Point on the St. Johns River, Yellow Bluff Fort granted access to the island areas of Florida’s east coast.

By 1862, Union troops had already captured Fernandina, including Fort Clinch, and St. Augustine, and would end up taking Jacksonville in March of the same year.

The park was added to the US National Register of Historic Place in 1970. In all honesty, a lot of the park is open to interpretation. There is not a lot of signages, and the park could use a little TLC. With a bit of funding, this charming little park could be a great state park.

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The History of Yellow Bluff Fort

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.

Yellow Bluff Fort Today

Believe it or not, this small 2-acre state park is nestled in the middle of a neighborhood. There are houses on either side of the park. At the entrance of the park you’ll find a stone monument and a cannon beckoning you into the park. There are additional cannons scattered around the property.

The monument tells a brief history of the site and how it once house both Union and Confederate forces during the Civil War. Today, the space is mostly an open area covered by the canopy of magnificent live oaks. There are a few picnic tables, but other than that there are no amenities.

Yellow Bluff Fort Historic Park offers sweeping views of the Dames Point Bridge that spans over the St. Johns River. It is easy to see why this spot offered such an advantage to the soldiers that camped here.

Today, mother nature has reclaimed much of the land. Majestic live oaks, shrubs, magnolias, and other greenery cover what was once an important site in the area’s military history.

A Ghostly Urban Legend

Legend has it that the wife/lover of one of the 350 soldiers that were stationed at Yellow Bluff Fort haunts the park. Woman in White, as she is known, is said to appear crying at the base of the Confederate memorial during moonless nights.

Some stories say that she is dangerous and has been known to attack couples that visit the park. One claim is that she tried to kill a man with her long, sharp nails.

Long story short, if you run into Woman in White, let her grieve in peace.

What is There to do at Yellow Bluff Fort?

Very little physical evidence of the fort remains today. One obvious feature is the extensive trench system that was dug for fortification. The trenches were about 10-feet deep and in some places up to 15-feet wide.

A short trail meanders around the encampment , rolling down and then back up the namesake earthen walls of the “fort”. You’ll also find an earthwork mound and trench system that was created by the Confederate Army to defend Jacksonville against the attacking Union Army.

The park has several picnic tables that are available to visitors.

Visiting Yellow Bluff Fort

The park is open from 8 AM until sunset. It is open 365 days a week.

There are no fees to enjoy the park.

It is located about a mile off if Interstate 295.

Our Thoughts on Yellow Bluff Fort

The park offers great views of the river, and would be a great spot to enjoy a picnic. But other than that, the park is just kind of…meh. With a bit of funding, the park could be great, but as it stands a lot of it is left up for the visitor to interpret on their own. If you didn’t know that the trenches and mounds were manmade, you’d think they were just part of the landscape. There’s very little signage explaining the site.

If you’re a local looking for somewhere new to explore, or if you’re a visitor who is really into the Civil War, then the Yellow Bluff Fort may be worth a visit. Fort Clinch is another Civil War era fort that was an actual fort and is in remarkable condition. We suggest visiting Fort Clinch over this faux-fort.

Despite its proximity to the cruise ship terminal, the park did not make our list of Things for Cruisers to do in Jacksonville.