Lakeside, Florida facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lakeside, Florida
Census-designated place
Location in Clay County and the state of Florida
Country	United States of America
State	Florida
County	Clay
Area
• Total	15.65 sq mi (40.53 km2)
• Land	13.45 sq mi (34.84 km2)
• Water	2.19 sq mi (5.68 km2)
Elevation	66 ft (20 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	31,275
• Density	2,324.76/sq mi (897.60/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
FIPS code	12-38813
GNIS feature ID	1867166

Lakeside is a community in Clay County, Florida, United States. It is considered a "census-designated place" (CDP), which means it's an area identified by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes. Lakeside is part of the larger Orange Park area. It is also included in the Jacksonville metropolitan area.

In 2020, the population of Lakeside was 31,275 people. This was a small increase from 30,943 people counted in the 2010 census.

Exploring Lakeside's Location and Size

Lakeside is found in the northeastern part of Clay County. Its exact location is 30°8′5″N 81°45′57″W / 30.13472°N 81.76583°W / 30.13472; -81.76583.

Nearby Towns and Waterways

The community of Lakeside shares its northeastern border with the Town of Orange Park. To the north, you'll find the Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace community. Southeast of Lakeside, across a body of water called Doctors Lake, is Fleming Island. Doctors Lake is an inlet that connects to the St. Johns River. Just south of Lakeside is the community of Doctors Inlet.

Lakeside's Total Area

The United States Census Bureau reports that Lakeside covers a total area of about 40.7 square kilometers (which is about 15.7 square miles). Most of this area, about 35.0 square kilometers (13.5 square miles), is land. The remaining 5.7 square kilometers (2.2 square miles), or nearly 14%, is water.

A Look Back at Lakeside's History

Lakeside has an interesting past, especially concerning a special research center.

The Yerkes Primate Research Center

Long ago, a place called the Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center was located just west of Orange Park, in what is now Lakeside. This center was one of the first places in the United States dedicated to studying primates, which are animals like monkeys and apes.

The center was started in 1930. It was founded by a psychologist named Robert Yerkes, along with Yale University and the Rockefeller Foundation. Before this center opened, Yerkes was already doing his own research with two great apes named "Chim" and "Panzee." His work convinced important organizations to support the Florida facility.

Initially, the lab was built to house about 25 chimpanzees. However, over its 35-year history, researchers worked with around 65 chimpanzees, and possibly more. Some famous chimpanzees, like Gua and Viki, who were raised almost like human children, lived here. Other primates also came from an estate in Havana, Cuba.

What Scientists Studied at Yerkes

Many leading scientists of that time worked at the Yerkes Center. They studied different parts of primate behavior. This included their basic biology, how their senses worked, their reproductive systems, and their daily habits. They also looked at their bodies and how they functioned.

Interestingly, some local residents in Orange Park had funny rumors about the place. They even joked that scientists were trying to cross-breed humans with apes! Because of the research with monkeys, some people called the lab the "Monkey Farm."

The Land After Yerkes

The land where Yerkes Labs was located covered about 188 acres. This was about a mile west of Orange Park. The actual research buildings took up less than an acre. Today, this spot is part of the Foxwood Center plaza. It faces the Orange Park Medical Center on Kingsley Avenue.

In 1966, a developer named Marvin Wilhite bought the abandoned buildings and land. He named his company Ahpla, which is "Alpha" spelled backward. He chose this name after Alpha, the first chimpanzee born at Yerkes Labs on September 11, 1930.

Some of the original laboratory buildings are still part of Foxwood Center today. These buildings once housed the chimps, the grounds caretaker, and administrative offices. Other buildings have been added, including the Orange Park Chamber of Commerce. The old caretaker's house is now a health food store called The Granary.

In 1956, Emory University took over running the center. Then, in 1965, the entire center moved to the campus of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2002, the center was officially renamed the Yerkes National Primate Research Center.

Lakeside's Population Over Time

Understanding Lakeside's Population Makeup

The U.S. Census helps us understand the different groups of people living in Lakeside. Here's a look at the population's racial makeup, not including people of Hispanic or Latino origin, for 2010 and 2020:

In 2020, there were 31,275 people living in Lakeside. These people lived in 11,023 households, and 8,249 of these were families. In 2010, there were 30,943 people, 11,758 households, and 9,163 families.

Learning and Arts in Lakeside

Lakeside is home to an important educational institution.

St. Johns River State College

The largest of three campuses for St. Johns River State College is located in Lakeside. You can find it on College Drive. This college was once known as St. Johns River Community College.

The college campus also features the Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts. This is a performing arts theater. It is used for various plays, concerts, and other events. The college has about 2,221 regular students. Many high school students from Clay County also take classes here through a "dual enrollment" program. This means they earn college credits while still in high school.

See also

In Spanish: Lakeside (Florida) para niños