Moncrief Springs, originally known as Moncrief's springs or Moncrief Spring, is a natural spring near Jacksonville, Florida in Duval County, Florida. Mythology about its history, a park, and resort area developed around it.
Legend edit
According to legend, it is named for Eugene Moncrief, a pawnbroker who immigrated to Florida and settled in the area. An 1876 report touted a visit to the springs and its reported health benefits.[1]
Park edit
Plans to establish a pleasure park at the springs connected by electric tram to the city were announced in 1903.[2] An ice cream company named for the springs incorporated in 1921.[3]
Moncrief Spring Park is named for the spring. A five-mile race between a Cadillac and one of the first biplanes to visit the area was held.[4]
During Peter Jones' tenure as mayor of Jacksonville a hotel and resort was developed by the spring. A horse track and bowling alley were among amusements.[5] The resort lasted decades and the site was later used as a segregated public swimming facility for African Americans.[6]
Moncrief Park is now a neighborhood of Jacksonville. The neighborhood came after what was a short-lived horse racing track of the same name.[7] The American Derby was held at Moncrief Park.[7]: 2
The Moncrief Park neighborhood has seen economic ups and downs with public housing and road construction. In 2016 the Clara White Mission began raising crops there for a farm stand.[8][9]
References edit
- ^ Lanier, Sidney (February 15, 1876). Florida: Its Scenery, Climate, and History. With an Account of Charleston, Savannah, Augusta, and Aiken; a Chapter for Consumptives; Various Papers on Fruit-culture; and a Complete Hand-book and Guide. J. B. Lippincott & Company. p. 84. ISBN 9781425535117 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Street Railway Journal". Street Railway Publishing Company. February 15, 1903 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Refrigerating World". Ice Trade Journal Company. February 15, 1921. p. 40.
- ^ Cowart, John W. (February 15, 2005). Crackers & Carpetbaggers: Moments in the History of Jacksonville, Florida : from Indians to Airplanes ...and Ships in Between. Bluefish Books. p. 32. ISBN 9781411621312 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Moncrief Springs: Crown Jewels of Jacksonville". Metrojacksonville.com. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
- ^ "Moncrief Springs: Three Corinthian Columns". jaxpsychogeo.com. 2012-06-19. Archived from the original on May 23, 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ a b "The Lost Story of Jacksonville's Moncrief Park". Metro Jacksonville. December 30, 2015.
- ^ "White Harvest Farms". jaxpsychogeo.com. 2016-06-19. Archived from the original on May 23, 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ Meyer, John M.; Kersten, Jens (September 5, 2016). The Greening of Everyday Life: Challenging Practices, Imagining Possibilities. Oxford University Press. p. 131. ISBN 978-0-19-107638-1 – via Google Books.