This larger historical marker stands not far from the Palatka Amtrak Station and is next to the…read morePalatka Police Department on a small grass strip on SR 100 aka Reid St. The marker gives the history of the city and has the same text on both sides. It reads, "Established as a trading post in 1821, the settlement was burned in the Seminole War (1836). In 1838, the U.S. Government constructed Fort Shannon which served as a garrison, supply depot and hospital for the forts in the southern area of Florida. Winfield Scott, Zachary Taylor, and William T. Sherman were stationed here. During the Civil War the city was occupied by Federal troops. In the postwar period, Palatka became one of the leading tourist centers of Florida." There is parking nearby at the car shop. [Review 1633 of 2025 - 2210 in Florida - 25181 overall]

This green historical marker is located on the west side of Memorial Bridge where it crosses the…read moreSt. Johns River into Palatka. It points out some of the earliest history of the area. The marker reads, "Established in May, 1838, this fort was one of the major quartermaster depots in Florida during the Second Seminole War. It operated under Gen. William J. Worth until he assumed command of the armies in Florida. Military facilities included a hospital, barracks, blockhouses, and stables for more than 400 horses. During the fort's existence, Palatka was military in appearance and under military control." Online, there is more information. The Indian Removal Act provoked many Seminole Indians and their allies to revolt against being forcibly relocated from their lands and homes in the Florida Territory to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River. After the Dade Massacre on December 28, 1835 the Second Seminole War was escalated with armed skirmishes and guerilla warfare. Early in the Second Seminole War, the strategically located town of Palatka, Florida Territory was attacked and burned by a group of Seminole Indians and their allies. Most surviving white settlers and black slaves fled to St. Augustine for safety, and the area was mostly abandoned except for free roaming groups of Seminole Indians and their allies. Realizing the importance of a militarily protected and efficient supply line along the St. Johns River General Walker Keith Armistead ordered the main depot moved from Garey's Ferry on Black Creek to Palatka where the U.S. Army built Fort Shannon. Fort Shannon was established in May of 1838 under the command of General William J. Worth. General Worth remained in command of Fort Shannon until 1842 when he was promoted and assumed command of all the armies of Florida. This fortification was part of a network of forts that protected the strategically important transportation routes along the St. Johns River. Fort Shannon grew in size to include eight blockhouses, a hospital, several large wood framed buildings, officer's barracks and a stables large enough to accommodate 400 horses. Fort Shannon was briefly utilized during the American Civil War by Union troops as they occupied Palatka and patrolled the St. Johns River with gunboats. The building materials of Fort Shannon were pilferaged and eroded away in the 1880s, except for its Officer's Quarters building. [Review 15769 overall - 1351 in Florida - 1273 of 2021.]

This useful marker is along a somewhat busy roadway but if you see it coming as you're driving,…read morethere's enough time to pull over. The marker points out the history of the park. It is at an intersection so there is opportunity to stop. "Situated on the site of Camp Blanding, between Sandhill and Brooklyn lakes, are the remnants of Magnolia Lake State Park. A relic from the time of segregation, Magnolia Lake was built to provide separate facilities to serve African American visitors. Proposed in 1955 and constructed in 1957, the 191-acre park featured 3,000 feet of lake frontage, a boat ramp, a dock, a swimming area, a bath house, and picnic pavilions. Magnolia Lake operated alongside the neighboring Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park, which was reserved for whites only. As a result, the park had its own entrance, gatehouse, and ranger residence. By the 1960s, Magnolia Lake State Park was one of four segregated state parks for African Americans in Florida. It was a popular recreation spot for much of Clay County's African American population. In 1964, following several lawsuits, protests, and pressure from the Federal Government, Florida State parks became fully integrated. Magnolia Lake State Park eventually closed in the 1970s, and management of the property was returned to Camp Blanding." The marker was erected in 2018 by The Clay County Historic Preservation Board, the Clay County Board of County Commissioners (BCC), and the Florida Department of State. It is Marker Number F-1033. [Review 19120 overall - 1592 in Florida - 90 of 2023.]

This marker is located in a small plaza that has a restaurant (that might be closed?) along Florida…read more19. It is adjacent to Little Lake Kerr. It points out the spot the where famous explorer passed through, reading "In 1774, William Bartram visited Salt Springs, his six-mile springs, and proclaimed it a "Paradise of Fish"" on both sides. William Bartram was an American naturalist who explored the Southern colonies, including deep stretches of Florida, documenting plants, animals, and the lives of Indigenous communities he met along the way. He traveled up the St. Johns River and into the Alachua Savanna, describing the region as a kind of natural paradise filled with wildflowers, spring‑fed streams, and abundant wildlife. His encounters with Creek leaders, including the Creek leader Cowkeeper near present‑day Micanopy, added cultural depth to his observations and shaped the narrative that later appeared in his book "Travels." That work introduced readers on both sides of the Atlantic to Florida's tropical landscapes, its fauna, and its frontier settlements, and it became a foundational text in early American natural history. Bartram's vivid descriptions and illustrations influenced scientific understanding, inspired later explorers, and helped shape how Americans imagined Florida's interior. There is plenty of room to stop here and since much of the road in both directions is just two lanes separated by only paint, it's probably a good idea to stop and stretch. [Review 1627 of 2025 - 2204 in Florida - 25175 overall]

I love the areas in and around Crescent City, Florida and frequently camp here throughout the year…read more This small municipality seems to always have something to celebrate which is a testament to the people that call it home and although my interactions with the people have been somewhat limited I can say they are very welcoming people and there are no strangers here. The city has access to an abundance of water and forests and when I first started coming here I felt it was a little isolated and very remote but I've come to learn that's not always the case and find it's the perfect place to find your own personal space yet enjoy plenty of convenience when it comes to the local businesses. I love that Crescent City still cherishes it's history and the people that came before them, there are many hidden treasures here that haven't been exploited, it still small town American that embraces it's culture and welcomes everyone with open arms and definitely earns it's definition of "Old Florida Charm" which is so attractive to me. Located on the shores of Crescent Lake this city offers plenty of access to some of the best freshwater fishing in the state and is still referred to as "The Bass Capital of the World" and offers a lot of opportunities to view the beautiful sunrises across the lake with its's tranquil setting, it's the perfect place to enjoy a fresh cup of morning coffee while relaxing somewhere along the shoreline, you don't need to have a pre-planned agenda to come here once you arrive the day will unfold before you. As an example one of my favorite restaurants El Amigo Restaurant breakfast service starts at 9:00 AM now that's laid back n' low key...

When you think Florida, you're going to see images in your mind of oranges, rocket launches, Disney…read moreWorld and beaches. I doubt that even the 10th thing that you think about in relation to Florida is "potatoes." And yet, here we are just west of Saint Augustine and it's the potato capital of Florida. The next town over on this road is named "Spuds" and I'm not kidding. Henry Morrison Flagler built tourist hotels at Saint Augustine in the late 19th century, including the Ponce de León Hotel. He needed a local source of fresh vegetables for his guests, so he persuaded Thomas Horace Hastings, his cousin, to develop a farm. A small community evolved into a town, which was named for its founder in 1890. I wouldn't go out of your way to visit Hastings (residents of which recently voted to dissolve the city and be re-incorporated back into the county) but if you're here, have a potato! [Review 15765 overall - 1348 in Florida - 1269 of 2021.]

Home to the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, which I imagine is something that draws many to this city…read more Transparently, we came solely for that and ate in Mount Dora. The wildlife though is worth seeing the city, and maybe exploring to see what else they have to offer!

Palatka is one of those places where you'll still find a few brick lined streets along with a…read morehistoric downtown district that exhibits remnants of the many renovation efforts attempted over the years mostly with limited success. The city continues to promise to reinvent itself but it's identity is so deeply rooted in its past that most of the residents here who are so accustomed to the local politician's minutia to rejuvenate the economy they simply ignore it and cling to the culture that has sustained this riverside community for generations. It's kinda laid back but that's what the locals like about living here, by the number of jacked up trucks and trailered flat bottom boats with 9.8 Mercury outboard motors hanging off the back it seems they have it figured out here. It's okay if you feel a little envy as you drive through this rural Florida town while listening to Luke Bryan sing about a similar life style... Huntin', fishin', and lovin' every day That's the prayer this country boy prays Thank God He made me this way Huntin', fishin' and lovin' every day Black coffee in the mornin, dark whiskey in the evenin' I'm gettin' red dirt rich and Flint River paid Huntin', fishin' and lovin' every day

Small post office located just off of 207. And when I say small, I mean small. But it still served…read moreits purpose