Natural Jacksonville: Cedar Point

Looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city without actually leaving the city? A trip to Cedar Point on Black Hammock Island may be in order.

A National Park Service ranger explains the history of this shell midden along the 7 Creeks Trail.

A view of the 7 Creeks Recreational Area Bridge over Pumpkin Creek. The bridge connects the National Park Service’s Cedar Point to the City of Jacksonville’s Cedar Point Preserve.

A view of Pumpkin Creek. Pumpkin Creek separates Black Hammock Island from the mainland.

Beginning and ending at 7 Creeks Trail, the Loop Trail connects the southern tip of Cedar Point and Black Hammock Island with the rest of the 30-mile 7 Creeks trail network.

Ruins of the Fitzpatrick Plantation at Cedar Point. This property was granted to Samuel Mills by the King of Spain in 1783.

The Fitzpatrick family acquired the land in 1795. Here, an enslaved African labor force was used for the production of salt boiled from seawater.

Structures at the Fitzpatrick Plantation were made of “tabby” - a concrete-like mixture made of oyster shells.

The Fitzpatrick Plantation was acquired by the Broward family around 1848. It was destroyed by the Union during the Civil War.

Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com