Definition:Arlington was once an independent community governed unofficially by the Arlington Community Club and Duval Co. It was annexed in 1968* as a part of Jacksonville, Florida. What is now known as Arlington is made up of several early neighborhoods. You will see references to neighborhoods (such as Eggleston) as if they are somewhere outside of Arlington. It is due to the commonly understood boundaries of Arlington changing over time (meaning that the area known as Arlington expanded). These interpretations effectively extended what was known as Arlington. Today, what is known as the Greater Arlington area (but referred to as Arlington) extends from the west boundaries bordering on the St. John's River to the farthest eastern boundaries of the peninsula near Mayport. In the earliest days, Arlington was considered to be only the westernmost portion, and ending at Mill Creek. Within even that boundary, neighborhoods such as Clifton, Floral Bluff, Eggleston, Gilmore, and Chaseville have had their own identity started when those neighborhoods were first named. The definition of what we consider "Old Arlington" remains to be the earliest definitions of Arlington. For more about the other community names within the greater Arlington area, see our study on Subdivisions of Arlington.The original "Arlington" area was bordered by the St. Johns River on the west and northern edges, and slightly south of the Arlington River on the southern edge. Access to the waterways was important so the earliest establishments developed along these edges. The westernmost edge was directly across from what is now downtown Jacksonville (originally known as "Cows Ford" due to it being an area of the St. John's River where cattle could be driven across). As a result of the growing development of the area in Arlington, a ferry was built connecting Arlington's westernmost edge to downtown Jacksonville. The area around the Arlington end of the ferry naturally developed faster than other parts of the peninsula that Arlington is on. This older and more popular area has become the focus of the area we call "Old Arlington." Mill Creek Road is considered the eastern edge of "Old Arlington." East of Old Arlington shown on the map is naturally known as "Arlington East." Whatever you consider Arlington, or Old Arlington, we are glad you have arrived at our website. Our website goal is to provide information and history on the area starting with Old Arlington and extending out from there where it is appropriate. We also provide community information, events, and other data that should be helpful to anyone in the area or interested in our area. Some of the information is already available; more and more is being added on a constant ongoing basis. Set back and watch us grow. Once again, thanks for stopping by.
As seen from Arlington across the river, the largestNaval Stores yard in the world. Ship at dock loadingfor Argentenia.
Great find. Too bad they dont go more into the history of Clifton. Its one of the oldest communities in Arlington, where the St Johns and Arlington River meet.
Strawberry Hill/Richard/Sammis: Now known as Clifton, this was the location of the overseer's home for Samuel Potts during the English occupation. Everything was dismantled in 1784 when Spain took over the territory of Florida. About 1795, a third party secured a 600-acre Spanish Grant for Don Francis Richard, a native of Italy and his wife Genevieve Bianne from the Dominican Republic, and their children. The grant ran along Arlington River and Strawberry Creek from Clifton area to Arlington Road. Richard had successfully operated a sugar cane plantation in the Dominican Republic until warned by his slaves of an uprising. He set sail for Florida with his family and loyal servants. Richard named his new plantation Strawberry Hill. Richard's oldest son, John B. Richard, and his wife received a 250-acre grant south of "Strawberry Creek" lying along Silversmith Creek. As previously mentioned, Richard had grants for smaller tracts along the river to Reddie Point.Richard's youngest son was christened in a Catholic church in St. Augustine in 1802, and Francis Richard Sr. died in Georgia (ca. 1818), and his wife died there in 1821, so it's possible that he didn't actually live at Strawberry Hill, but it was definitely an active plantation. In 1817, before Francis Richard Sr's death, he applied for a special Grant to dam Strawberry (Mill) Creek and Red Bay Branch, and build and operate a water powered mill, which Francis II saw completed in 1820. Francis II hired a Mr. John Sammis to run the mill, and after his death in 1840, Sammis purchased 6,000 acres of the Richard Estate. Sammis, a white man from New York, was married to Mary Kingsley, the youngest daughter of Zephaniah and his African wife Anna Kingsley. The Sammis' built a home in Clifton (ca. 1850), which is still in use today as a private residence. Sammis was one of the wealthiest men in Jacksonville, lost almost everything but his land during the Civil War but his family left during the Civil War, and returned to a bleak economy having lost almost everything but the land. He had put his land up for sale before the war and sold it several times afterward, having to foreclose on the purchasers. In 1873, he sold what is now known as the Clifton area. The property was platted as the "Arlington Bluff." One of the most important historic spots in Arlington is the Clifton (Sammis) Cemetery where Anna and Zephaniah's two daughters and their descendants are buried. It is also believed to be the final resting place of Anna Kingsley.
In January of 1886 a company headed by a local businessman Alexander Wallace, chartered the Jacksonville, Mayport and Pablo Railway and Navigation Company to build a railroad from Mayport to the beach and then to a dock in Arlington. He later planned a line to go south to the terminus of the J&A at Pablo. He felt the Mayport community could become a significant player in the transportation future of North Florida. As a part of his plan he built a new hotel on the ocean called the "Burnside."
Sailing above Chaseville this was taken by F. W. Bruce. It probably was typical of sailing ships seen in the river. It was probably about where Jacksonville University is now.http://oldarlington.org/HP-OI-SailingChaseville.php
