Jacksonville's Eight Oldest Parks

1. Hemming Park - 1857



Hemming Park is a 1.5-acre public park located in the heart of downtown Jacksonville. The park dates back to 1857 when it was established as a village green by Isaiah Hart. After Hart's death in 1861, the space was acquired by the city and renamed "City Park". A few years later, after the 1869 completion of the St. James Hotel, the space was renamed "St. James Park."

Hemming Park was Jacksonville’s first park and is now the oldest park in our city. Originally, this park was established as a village green in 1857 by Isaiah Hart. Unfortunately, Hart died less than 5 years after this, and the land was deeded to the city for a mere $10. They named it “City Park.”

In 1899, the park was dedicated to honor Civil War veteran Charles C. Hemming after he donated a 62-foot commemorative Confederate monument in the park. Through the 20th century, the park became a place for major events, speeches and protests in the city. Significant events at Hemming included speeches by John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon and Lyndon B. Johnson. It was also the epicenter of the 1960 race riot, Axe Handle Saturday. During the early 1980s, the city invested $650,000 to transform the green space into the brick-paved square that exists today.


The Public Square (Hemming Park) in 1864. (State Archives of Florida)


Article by Kristen Pickrell. Graphics and collection of historic photographs by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com