The history of Jacksonville, Florida, can be traced back 6,000 years, when the Timucuan Indians lived in the area along the banks of the St. Johns River. The area's original name was "Cowford" because of its location at a narrow point in the river where cattle once crossed. In 1822, the city was founded and renamed for Andrew Jackson, a military hero and the first American Governor of Florida, known as Old Hickory. Jacksonville was a town in Florida before Florida became a state. A significant development occurred in Jacksonville in the late 19th century. The town became a winter vacation destination for tourists from the North and Midwest. When Jacksonville was founded, the town was located in St. Johns County, and the only other county in Florida was Escambia County. However, Duval County was established about a month after the town's founding. Jacksonville became incorporated as a city on February 9, 1832. Its development was slowed down by the Great Fire in 1901, the Florida Land Bust in the 1920s, and the economic woes in the 1960s and 1970s. However, the city has experienced steady growth since the late 20th century and has a new federal building that was constructed Downtown in 2003. Jacksonville was a critical supply point for hogs shipped from Florida to feed the Confederate forces during the American civil war. An essential part of Jacksonville's growth in the 20th century came from the presence of navy bases in the region. The ground was majorly a training center during World War II and had over 20,000 pilots and aircrew members being drilled there. In addition, the Navy's elite Blue Angels were established at NAS Jax after the war and have become the third-largest navy installation in the United States, employing over 23,000 civilian and active-duty personnel.

Beaches
On buying a house in Jacksonville, one of the most relaxing places to go is the beach. The city's four main beaches are Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Mayport Beach, and Atlantic Beach, just a brief drive from Downtown Jacksonville.

Jacksonville Beach is the busiest and most visited beach in the city of Jacksonville, with over 3.7 miles of wide and sandy beach to play on. The beach offers surfing, beach volleyball, private picnics, and many more fun activities.

Some other beautiful beaches in the city include Ponte Vedra Beach, American Beach, Mayport Beach, and others.


Leisure Time At A Park
Jacksonville houses over four hundred City Parks, seven State Parks, and two National Parks. The city's park system is said to be a way of preserving the rich history that has established Jacksonville. Take a trip to the renowned James Weldon Johnson Park, located in the heart of Downtown and across the street from City Hall. The park has been in existence for about 160 years, making it the oldest park in the city of Jacksonville.

You would fall in love with the beautiful atmosphere of the park while enjoying the view of the water fountains, foods from food trucks and vendors, and musical entertainment. Other top exciting parks in the city include Riverside Park, Fort Caroline National Park, Kingsley Plantation, and Jacksonville Arboretum.

Restaurant Scene
Speaking of quality food, Jacksonville has some of the best chefs that ensure that the residents enjoy the city's diverse food scene. The city has affordable restaurants to have dinner with family and friends.

Are you looking for a restaurant in Jacksonville to have a business meeting? Then, Terra Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse got you as they offer some of the best freshly grilled steak and other delicious meals. Another restaurant you should try out is the Maple Street Biscuit Company, as it is also a nice place to have dinner with the family.

There are several other must-try restaurants in Jacksonville, such as Restaurant Orsay, Biscottis, BB's Restaurant + Bar, Green Papaya Thai Cuisine, and Ruth's Chris Steak House.

Lakes
The prominent Lake Jacksonville is a 500-acre artificial lake filled with bass, red-ear sunfish, channel catfish, and bluegill. The lake is a perfect location for boating, water skiing, fishing, and other water activities. The lake is located about a one-half mile southwest of Jacksonville in Cherokee County on Gum Creek, a tributary of the Neches River.

Flamingo Lake RV Resort, Lake Angeles Trail, Lake Area Watersport, Adventure Kayak Florida, and Herb N Chick are the top-rated lakes to check.