First Coast
From Free net encyclopedia
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First Coast | |
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| Image:Map of Florida First Coast.jpg
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| Major cities | Jacksonville |
| Area - Total - Water | 9,530 km² (3,680 mi²) 1,448 km² (560 mi²) 15.19% |
| Population - Total (2000) - Density | 1,150,323 120.71/km² (312.59/mi²) |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5 |
The First Coast is a region of Florida, in the United States. It extends along the Atlantic, or eastern, coast of the state, from the Georgia border, past the southern end of Anastasia Island, to Palm Coast. The First Coast is named for the city of Saint Augustine, site of the oldest permanent European settlement in the United States.
It includes all of the counties of Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, and Saint Johns; its principal cities include Fernandina Beach, Jacksonville, Orange Park, Palm Coast, and St. Augustine. The terrain consists of a coastal plain with low hills along the bluffs of the Saint Johns River. Trail Ridge, an ancient seashore, borders the western boundary of the First Coast and separates the region from the Okefenokee Swamp.
History
The history of the First Coast can be traced back over 12,000 years, to the Timucuan Indians, who originally settled the area. Modern settlement began in 1564, when René Goulaine de Laudonnière founded the French Colony of Fort Caroline, near the mouth of the St. Johns River, close to modern-day Jacksonville. On August 28, 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés founded the city of St. Augustine for Spain. After defeating the French in skirmishes around the area, Spanish forces had firmly established the area as their own.
Spanish rule continued until 1763, when Spain ceded control of Florida to Great Britain. Under British rule, most of the Spanish population left the area, along with the remaining native population. After the end of the Revolutionary War, in 1783, Britain ceded Florida back to Spain, beginning the second period of Spanish rule. During this time, many settlers emigrated to the First Coast from the United States. The town of Cowford, now Jacksonville, was settled in 1791.
In 1819, Spain signed the Adams-Onís Treaty with the United States, giving all of Spanish Florida to the U.S. for $5,000,000.
American settlement of the First Coast expanded rapidly after the Treaty. The city of Jacksonville was formally established in 1832; this period also saw the founding of many of the cities along the First Coast.
The Civil War brought minor actions to the area. After Florida's secession, which occurred on January 10, 1861, most of the region was retaken by Union Forces early in the war. Jacksonville was an important Southern port. By mid 1862, most of the First Coast was in Union hands, and would remain so for the rest of the war.
Afterwards, more people began to settle along the coast. The area's beaches and warm weather drew tourists through the end of the 19th century. The construction of Henry Flagler's railroad to Miami led to a decline in the First Coast's tourist industry; but some cities have remained popular destinations to this day. Amelia Island and St. Augustine are especially popular for their beaches and historic importance.
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