San Marco - San Jose

Peruse Jacksonville history and  find that the Acosta Bridge is given credit for having opened the south side of the St. Johns River for development. The result was what is now known as the community of San Marco, which gets its name from the Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy. San Marco is a potpourri of architectural styles and uses. From large, expansive riverfront homes to quadstyle apartments, San Marco seems to have a lifestyle fit for both singles and families. If the square is the center of San Marco, the ornately-made bronze lion sculptures, accompanying fountain and gazebo are the square’s trademark. On either side of the square are a vibrant array of shops and a mix of local fare and franchised cafes and restaurants from which to choose. The San Marco Preservation Society keeps an eye out to ensure this community’s historic properties are being restored to their original intent. San Marco is also home to Theatre Jacksonville, the oldest continuously running community theatre in the U.S. Travel south of San Marco on Hendricks Avenue and you will come to the area known as San Jose. Within minutes, it becomes obvious you are now surrounded by more than the traditional-styled homes offered in San Marco. San Jose is where magnate Alfred I. DuPont built his expansive 15,000-square-foot summer home, Epping Forest, which has since been converted to a yacht club that is the center of an exclusive residential community. Epping Forest, which includes 58-acres with 3,200 feet on the St. Johns River, is known for its superb fitness facility and walking paths.

Mandarin

Still one of the fastest-growing communities in Jacksonville, Mandarin offers something for young and old alike. Whether you’re seeking a starter home or a large riverfront showplace, Mandarin offers it all. This community’s beauty has been chronicled through the ages. In her book, Palmetto Leaves, author Harriet Beecher Stowe tells about her life in Florida and refers to Mandarin as “a tropical paradise.” Stowe, who also wrote the anti-slave classic, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, made Mandarin her home in 1867 when she bought 30 acres and built a large home overlooking the St. Johns River. She was later joined by other family members who pitched in to help set up a small citrus grove and also build a small school where she educated former slaves. Each year, around Easter time, Mandarin hosts a popular arts festival at the community arts center. Today, the pulse of Mandarin is the long and winding San Jose Boulevard and St. Augustine Road which both offer everything from retail shops, strip centers and a multitude of restaurants. Travel further into Mandarin and you won’t see Harriet Beecher Stowe’s home, but you will see everything from gated communities to new subdivisions offering many different home choices. The Mandarin Museum & Historical Society has worked hard over the years to restore historic buildings that once served as the community’s center including, a circa 1911 Post Office. The organization also recently re-dedicated Walter Jones Historical Park, which fronts the river and includes restored homes of the Jones.