Did you know that the cities of Mayport, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach in Duval County, and Ponte Vedra Beach, South Ponte Vedra Beach and Vilano Beach in St. Johns County are all on a barrier island? It starts at the mouth of the St. John’s River and continues south for about 30 miles, to Vilano Beach, where it ends as the intracoastal waterway separates it from the mainland that is St. Augustine.
Last night, the Atlantic Beach City Council passed a resolution proclaiming its support for this island to be known as San Pablo Island. This makes historical significance for many reasons that I won’t bore you with now. But it matters, I think, that if you’re going to name an island it be something relevant.
The name of the island isn’t going to change anything. The island cities will carry on as before. We will still be ‘the beaches’ of Jacksonville. It’s just that now, going forward, there’ll be an effort to formally name this spit of land-in-the-sea where we reside, so that maps of all ilk will show an actual name for our region! The people who live here have always had an island sensibility…but no name to put to it.
Today is the first step toward our becoming San Pablo Island. Atlantic Beachlife on San Pablo Island.
I like it.
I do like the idea of having a "name" for our space. But who was San Pablo?? Bore me with a little history, okay?? 🙂
alrighty! it's not vast but on historical maps the beaches area was once known as san pablo beach, and the intracoastal waterway is also known as pablo creek (or san pablo creek). san pablo road to our west must have come from those refeences, too, i am guessing. because of the 'pablo' / san pablo references on historical documentation it was felt that it had an authenticity that a "new" name would not. i know personally, i'd have felt it was contrived if they'd come up with a brand new name that had no reference at all to the historical beginnings of our area. i am going over to the beaches historical museum to check into this further. i'm gonna be the evangelist for San Pablo Island, don't ya know?!
Very nice and interesting blog, Jeannie!
We've spent some time in St. Augustine and points south and a bit of time years ago in Jacksonville, and have a good friend who lives in Ponte Verdra (sp?)…
We're hoping to spend more time in that area…perhaps when it cools down a bit.
Thanks so much for coming by Ocala DP and becoming a "follower." That's much appreciated as are your kind words.
I shall be back here, too and wish you the very best with Atlantic Beachlife!
…cool, sounds so official. a name is very important you know. xo, mickey