Riding Through San Marco! Part 2- The "Normal" Area.

Permanent settlement of the area began in 1760. There was a ferry connecting the south bank of the St. John's River to the north bank. The area was a popular crossing for people and livestock due to being one of the narrowest points on the river. In 1793, under Spanish control, a grant was given allowing the development of slave plantations. The grant was eventually taken over by Isaac Hendrix. The area was previously known as South Jacksonville, and was actually its own independent city before annexation.
This is where I fell down a rabbit hole...
Three men were instrumental with the founding, development, and management of South Jacksonville- Isaac Hendrix, Isaiah Hart, and Albert Philips. All three men were a wealthy slave owners who passed on land to their children and each other. Many members of the family actually married in to the other families to maintain ownership of the land. Today still stands "The Red Bank", an old plantation home on the border of old South Jacksonville. The plantation and home was owned by the Philips family for over 100 years. After the Civil War, new settlers arrived in the area to escape the population booms in the city.
The homes in this area are beautiful and diverse. Some are similar to the shotgun style homes in the East Side and Springfield. Others are more modern and have been rebuilt, remodeled, or modernized.
To read more about the area, go to www.jaxhistory...
With all of the renaming of schools, parks, and tearing down of monuments linked to slavery, it's a wonder why these prominent roads (Hendrix Ave.), highways (Philips Hwy.), and bridges (Isaiah Hart Bridge) are not brought up in those conversations... I think it's because we don't search for information. 3 of the most popular transportation causeways in the area are named for previous slave owners. Granted, their children turned in to philanthropists and socialites, the names are still linked to the founders of South Jacksonville.
As I stated before, my opinion on these issues doesn't matter nor will I give my full opinion in the description. Maybe in one of my next videos I will or I'll do a full video on the history of race in Jacksonville.
‪@velowavebikes‬ is what I'm riding. P.S. Please sponsor me!

[@TrailStrider909]

Sweet video my friend! Love the tour of the neighborhoods!! ❤❤❤