Historical Markers in
Clay County, Florida

1SG Kenny Fike 202 Red Horse Squadron 29th Infantry Division 30th Infantry Division 31st Infantry Division 36th Infantry Division 43rd Infantry Division 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment 5”38 Caliber Single Mount Dual Purpose Gun 63rd Infantry Division 66th Infantry Division 79th Infantry Division A-6A “Intruder” A-7 “Corsair II” Albert Hazen Blanding American Ex-Prisoners of War Assault On Fort Mose (1740) Benjamin Lee II Field BRDM-2 Camp Blanding Camp Chowenwaw Carriage, Motor, M16 Carrier, Personnel Civil War (1861-1865) Colonel Harry M. Hatcher, Jr CPL John T. Rivero D Day Douglas C-47 “Skytrain” Dr. Applegate House Field Howitzer Firebase Florida First Infantry Division First Muster At St. Augustine (1565) Florida National Guard and the Global War on Terrorism Florida Regimental Memorial Fort Heilman Fort San Fransisco de Pupo General Roy Stanley Geiger,United States Marine Corps Global War On Terrorism Green Cove Springs Gun Tube Gun, 3 Inch M5 Gun, 40MM, M42, "Duster" Gun, 57 MM, S-60 Gun, 75 MM, M1897A2 Half-Track, M3 Headquarters, Florida Air National Guard Hickory Grove Baptist Church and Cemetery Howitzer, 105 MM Howitzer, 152MM Howitzer, 8IN (203MM) Identification Plaque for Borne Infantry Replacement Training Center Korea Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm: (1950 forward) LARC-LX Leonard A. Funk, Jr. Liberty Bourne M151 Series Military Utility Tactical Truck M4 "Sherman" Tank M60 "Patton" Magnolia Lake State Park MAJ Roy A. Wood Maj. Gen. Robert A. Ballard Medal Of Honor Medal of Honor Middleburg Middleburg Methodist Church Military Service Of Black Floridians 1565-1997 MSG Richard D. O’Brien MSG William E. Hoffman Old Clay County Courthouse Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm Orange Park Orange Park Normal and Industrial School Site PFC Brandon J. Wadman Purple Heart Remember Our Fallen Revolutionary War (1776-1783) SFC Daniel A. Suplee SFC Lloyd S. Clements Jr. SGT Dennis J. Boles SGT Jeffrey W. Holmes SGT Marco L. Miller Sharon Baptist Church SPC Daryl A. Davis SPC Jeffrey M. Wershow SPC Marc Whisenant SPC Robert A. Wise SSG Joseph F. Fuerst III SSG Paul L. Nealy SSG Robert R. Armstrong Jr. St. Margaret's Episcopal Church and Cemetery Tank, Main Battle, T-55A The Bellamy Road The Bellamy Road The Duck: Amphibian (Dukw) The Gama Goat The Green Berets The M-170 Truck, Ambulance The Military Order of the World Wars The Village Improvement Association Woman's Club Thompson - Chalker Docks Torpedo Warfare on the St. Johns River Town of Penney Farms 1927 Truck Truck, 1 ½-Ton, 4x4 Truck, Utility, 4x4 UH-1 “Huey” UH-1 “Huey” Veterans Memorial Veterans War Memorial William Woodrow Braswell Women For Freedom And Liberty World War I (1914-1918) World War II (1941-1945)
The Spanish established the first mission in Florida, Mission San Luis de Apalachee, in 1633. The mission was located near present-day Tallahassee and was home to a large Native American population.
Florida random facts
Clay County, Florida, is a county located in the northeastern part of the state. Its history dates back to the early 19th century when European settlers began to establish communities in the area. The county was officially created in 1858 and named after Henry Clay, a prominent American statesman.

During the 19th century, Clay County played a significant role in agriculture and timber production. The St. Johns River, which runs along the county's eastern border, provided transportation for goods, leading to the development of trade and commerce in the region. The establishment of plantations, especially for producing citrus fruits and cotton, further contributed to the county's economy.

The Civil War brought significant changes to Clay County as it did to the entire state of Florida. Many of the plantations in the area were devastated, and the county faced economic challenges in the post-war period. However, the construction of railroads in the late 19th century brought new opportunities for growth and prosperity. Railways connected Clay County to other parts of the state, facilitating the transportation of goods and attracting new industries to the area.

In the 20th century, Clay County experienced expansion and development, especially after World War II. The establishment of military bases in the county, such as Camp Blanding, brought an influx of new residents and stimulated the local economy. Today, Clay County is known for its natural beauty, with a mix of rural areas and suburban communities. It continues to attract people with its scenic landscapes, historic sites, and opportunities for outdoor activities.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Clay County, Florida.

  • 1828 - Clay County is established as a county in Florida.
  • 1840 - The county seat of Clay County is established in the town of Green Cove Springs.
  • 1858 - The St. Johns River and Clay County Railroad is completed, connecting the county to other parts of Florida.
  • 1861-1865 - Clay County residents participate in the American Civil War.
  • 1883 - The first railroad bridge across the St. Johns River is built in Clay County.
  • 1924 - The Lower St. Johns River Basin is drained, leading to increased agricultural activity in Clay County.
  • 1942-1945 - Camp Blanding, a training ground for the U.S. Army during World War II, is established in Clay County.
  • 1994 - The Clay County Historical Society is formed to preserve and promote the history of the county.
  • 2021 - Clay County continues to grow and develop, with a diverse economy and a population that continues to expand.