Discover Jacksonville 2017

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