Discover Jacksonville 2017
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COMMUNITIES<br />
Pritchard, discovered that Ponte Vedra’s<br />
beaches contained industrial minerals,<br />
including components necessary for the<br />
production of titanium and zirconium.<br />
The National Lead Co. bought out the<br />
partners in 1916.<br />
The mining settlement, named<br />
Mineral City, played a crucial role in<br />
World War I, as titanium was a key<br />
component in the manufacture of<br />
poisonous gas. In 1928, the National Lead<br />
Co. rechristened Mineral City in honor<br />
of what was believed to be the birthplace<br />
of Christopher Columbus — Pontevedra,<br />
Spain. City founders later learned that<br />
Columbus was actually born in Genoa,<br />
Italy.<br />
St. Johns County Neighborhoods<br />
Racetrack Road<br />
The name Ponte Vedra stuck<br />
and today has come to symbolize<br />
sophisticated beach-style living.<br />
Modern-day Ponte Vedra Beach began<br />
to take shape when National Lead built<br />
a nine-hole golf course for its employees<br />
along with a log clubhouse and polo field<br />
in 1922. In 1928, the complex became the<br />
world-famous Ponte Vedra Inn and Club.<br />
With the post-war mineral market gone<br />
and production at a standstill, National<br />
Lead used its clubhouse and golf course<br />
as the base from which to launch a resort<br />
community.<br />
Road construction in the 1940s<br />
through the 1960s brought further<br />
development and, in 1972, developer<br />
Roscoe Blvd<br />
Palm<br />
Valley<br />
Nocatee Parkway<br />
Nocatee<br />
Mickler’s<br />
Landing<br />
Flagler<br />
Hospital<br />
Northeast<br />
Florida<br />
Regional<br />
Airport<br />
James Stockton Jr. broke ground on<br />
the 1,100-acre development known as<br />
Sawgrass. Today, Sawgrass is home<br />
to THE PLAYERS Championship golf<br />
tournament and is world headquarters<br />
for the PGA TOUR, thanks to a legendary<br />
1978 deal in which developers Jerome<br />
and Paul Fletcher sold then-PGA TOUR<br />
Commissioner Deane Beman 415<br />
densely-wooded acres for $1.<br />
Although synonymous with luxury,<br />
Ponte Vedra Beach does have affordable<br />
housing away from the ocean. The<br />
median home price is $462,700, but those<br />
elaborate waterfront mansions will set<br />
you back multimillions.<br />
St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach<br />
A hub of history<br />
The oldest continuously occupied<br />
European settlement in the U.S. still<br />
gives residents a taste of small-town<br />
charm more than 450 years after its<br />
founding.<br />
St. Augustine, 35 miles south of<br />
<strong>Jacksonville</strong> beside Matanzas Bay, was<br />
established by Spanish Admiral Don<br />
Pedro Menendez de Aviles Sept. 8, 1565.<br />
St. Augustine is the host of more than 50<br />
annual events, many revolving around<br />
the city’s historic role. The Fort Castillo<br />
de San Marcos, built between 1672 and<br />
1695 by the Spanish, dominates the city’s<br />
tableau. Its massive gates draw tourists<br />
and longtime residents to explore the<br />
city’s past. More than 85 historic sites lie<br />
within the city’s confines.<br />
Numerous museums detail an<br />
aspect of the city’s development,<br />
while archaeological digs proceed<br />
throughout the year, unearthing further<br />
information on St. Augustine’s heritage.<br />
Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum,<br />
the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and<br />
Potter’s Wax Museum are among the<br />
popular attractions. With an average<br />
temperature of 70 degrees and mild<br />
winters, St. Augustine allows for yearround<br />
recreation. Boating, swimming<br />
and surfing take a high priority in<br />
leisure activities as does golf, with<br />
championship golf courses, including<br />
two at the World Golf Village.<br />
St. Augustine is a shopping experience<br />
with more antique shops, art galleries<br />
and an abundance of specialty shops,<br />
many located on the brick-lined streets<br />
52 | <strong>2017</strong> DISCOVER JACKSONVILLE