San Marco
High society of yesteryear and modern times come together in a charmingly understated community called San Marco.
The bustling business/fine arts district attracts thousands of locals and visitors each day. Highdollar business deals are made over lunch at casual, yet sophisticated diners and cafes. Shoppers seek the perfect outfit for an upcoming social event, or hunt gifts for their loved ones in boutiques and gift shops up and down San Marco Boulevard. And arts lovers stroll through galleries or check out the marquis at Theatre Jacksonville, home to the nations oldest continuously operating community theatre group. You can even catch a movie at the San Marco Theatre, which opened in 1938. The past and present of San Marco Square is anchored together by it's central focal point, the Fountain of Lions. The original fountain, which featured three center tiers topped by a wind vane, was believed to have been built in 1927, although there are no existing (or at least known to be existing) records showing when it was installed. In 1994, the fountain was redesigned by award-winning architects Alan Wilson and Angela Schifnella. Their design was sculpted in 1996 by artist Hugh Nicholson.
The earliest beginnings of San Marco were in the affairs of a 19th century socialite named Martha Reed Mitchell, wife of millionaire railroad tycoon Alexander Mitchell. The Mitchells fell in love with the area, then called Oklahoma, while visiting Mrs. Mitchell's brother, Harrison Reed. Reed was a Milwaukee newspaper publisher who was sent by President Abraham Lincoln to serve as the local Tax Commissioner during the Civil War, and who later became Florida's Governor. Mrs. Mitchell persuaded her husband to buy a 140-acre tract of land along the St. Johns River, which she soon transformed into an elaborate setting for the couple's winter palace. Several barns, a boathouse, tennis courts, swimming pools, a polo field, bridle paths, more than 2,000 orange trees and numerous gardens filled with exotic plants from around the world, including 95 varieties of roses marked the Mitchell's estate, which was named "Villa Alexandria."
Mrs. Mitchell passed away and was buried in the old St. Nicholas Cemetery in 1902. Several events in the first quarter of this century caused a boom in residential building. World War I brought ships workers by the thousands to support the war effort in Jacksonville's ports. The opening of the St. Johns River Bridge and the expansion of the railroad system make transportation into the area easier.
During the mid 1920's, real estate developer Telfair Stockton proposed an 80-acre subdivision. The triangular shaped commercial district called "San Marco Square" was designed and named after the famous St. Mark's Square in Venice. Just before the Stock Market Crash of 1929, Telfair Stockton makes plans to purchase and redevelop Villa Alexandria. It is here that the mansions of San Marco's new wealthy citizen still stand, including those of John and Carl Swisher of the famous King Edward Cigar Company.
Today, San Marco remains one of the few areas that has managed to make room for modern advancements, without relinquishing its old world charm.
Courtesy ofhttp://www.bestreadguide.com/jacksonville/