Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve |
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 Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve
Location in Florida
Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve
Location in the United States
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| Location | Jacksonville, Florida, United States |
| Nearest city | Jacksonville, Florida |
| Area | 46,000 acres (190 km2) |
| Established | February 16, 1988 |
| Visitors | 1,300,000 (in 2013) |
| Governing body | National Park Service in cooperation with other agencies |
| Website | Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve |
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Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve
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| Location | 13165 Mt. Pleasant Rd., Jacksonville, Florida |
| Area | 46,000 acres (19,000 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 01000283 |
| Added to NRHP | February 16, 1988 |
The Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve is a special National Preserve located in Jacksonville, Florida, in the United States. It's a huge area of about 46,000 acres (which is about 72 square miles!). This preserve is full of wetlands (swampy areas), rivers, and other natural places.
It is looked after by the National Park Service, working with the City of Jacksonville and Florida State Parks. The preserve protects both natural beauty and important historical sites. Two famous spots inside are the Fort Caroline National Memorial and the Kingsley Plantation. The preserve was created in 1988 and later made even bigger in 1999.
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Discovering the Timucuan Preserve
The Timucuan Preserve is home to some very important historical places. These include the Fort Caroline National Memorial and the Kingsley Plantation. Kingsley Plantation is the oldest plantation building still standing in Florida.
The preserve is named after the Timucua Indians. They were a group of Native American people who lived in northern Florida and southern Georgia long ago. When people from Spain first came to this area, the Timucua had 35 different groups, called chiefdoms.
Ancient History and People
Scientists who study old things, called archeologists, have found amazing clues about the people who lived here a very long time ago. On an island called Black Hammock Island, they found pieces of pottery. This pottery is about 4,500 years old! It's some of the oldest pottery ever found in the United States.
Archeologists also found items from a group called the Mocama. These Native American people lived in the area more recently. They spoke a language similar to Timucuan. Their land stretched from the St. Johns River all the way to St. Simons Island, Georgia.
Spanish Missions in Florida
Experts believe they have found signs of an old Spanish mission on Black Hammock Island too. A mission is like a church settlement. San Juan del Puerto was one of the first Spanish missions in Florida. It was built here in the 1500s.
Franciscan brothers were missionaries. They worked with the Timucua and Guale Indians who lived along the coast. These Native American groups also lived on the Sea Islands in Georgia.
New Lands for the Preserve
On June 9, 2020, the Timucuan Preserve grew even larger. It added another 2,500 acres of marshland. This new land is along the Nassau River. It was given to the preserve by two private land groups. This helps protect even more of Florida's natural beauty.
Images for kids
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The Ribault monument, located within the Timucuan Preserve. The St. Johns River can be seen in the background.
