This green historical marker is located on the west side of Memorial Bridge where it crosses the…read moreSt. Johns River into Palatka. It points out some of the earliest history of the area. The marker reads, "Established in May, 1838, this fort was one of the major quartermaster depots in Florida during the Second Seminole War. It operated under Gen. William J. Worth until he assumed command of the armies in Florida. Military facilities included a hospital, barracks, blockhouses, and stables for more than 400 horses. During the fort's existence, Palatka was military in appearance and under military control." Online, there is more information. The Indian Removal Act provoked many Seminole Indians and their allies to revolt against being forcibly relocated from their lands and homes in the Florida Territory to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River. After the Dade Massacre on December 28, 1835 the Second Seminole War was escalated with armed skirmishes and guerilla warfare. Early in the Second Seminole War, the strategically located town of Palatka, Florida Territory was attacked and burned by a group of Seminole Indians and their allies. Most surviving white settlers and black slaves fled to St. Augustine for safety, and the area was mostly abandoned except for free roaming groups of Seminole Indians and their allies. Realizing the importance of a militarily protected and efficient supply line along the St. Johns River General Walker Keith Armistead ordered the main depot moved from Garey's Ferry on Black Creek to Palatka where the U.S. Army built Fort Shannon. Fort Shannon was established in May of 1838 under the command of General William J. Worth. General Worth remained in command of Fort Shannon until 1842 when he was promoted and assumed command of all the armies of Florida. This fortification was part of a network of forts that protected the strategically important transportation routes along the St. Johns River. Fort Shannon grew in size to include eight blockhouses, a hospital, several large wood framed buildings, officer's barracks and a stables large enough to accommodate 400 horses. Fort Shannon was briefly utilized during the American Civil War by Union troops as they occupied Palatka and patrolled the St. Johns River with gunboats. The building materials of Fort Shannon were pilferaged and eroded away in the 1880s, except for its Officer's Quarters building. [Review 15769 overall - 1351 in Florida - 1273 of 2021.]

Great Night Lights water tour! Captain Steven, First mate Katrina and excellent bartender Zoza…read more Even on a chilly night the tour was great.

Our family of six adults had the most relaxing and peaceful time exploring the waters of St…read moreAugustine with Florida Water Tours. Our captain and tour guide were great navigating the waters and explaining the wildlife. We had amazing views and photo ops of the sunset. We saw a few dolphins, but I didn't get any pics. Check this trip out if you are in the area!

It was a great day on the water with the Amelia River Cruises & Charters company at the helm…read more It was my first time visiting Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach and wanted to get an overlay of the area and the river cruise seemed like the perfect thing to get an overview of the area. And I wasn't wrong! The tour lasted about 90 minutes (and it leaves promptly FYI) and takes you along the shoreline of Amelia Island - past the shrimping boats and past a Civil War era fort - before heading towards Cumberland Island National Seashore. This is where the true fun of the tour was for me. I had no idea really the history of the island and found it fascinating how the Carnegies and Rockefellers and more of the country's elite used this random Georgia seashore as their private escape. The history of both Cumberland and Amelia Islands is incredibly fascinating and the guides for both the Florida and Georgia sides respectively were well informed and personable. Plus - you'll very likely see a ton of great wildlife throughout including dolphins and wild horses and pigs. It's a great way to spend an afternoon in the area and a fabulous introduction to Cumberland Island National Seashore/Park.

Really nice boat Super friendly tour guides…read moreStunning g views of fort an horses on Cumberland Island Wonderful sunset.! Good pricing!

The airboat ride was exceptional! Would highly recommend it. Our tour guide Captain Becca was…read morefunny, knowledgeable and very entertaining. Take the early tour if possible if you are worried about the heat. The airboat does go fast at times, so the wind from it keeps you cooler. Wear a sun shirt or lots of sunscreen. Well worth it though for the views, the incredible wildlife and the history. Mother Nature has control over what wildlife you will view not Sea Serpent, so just sit back and enjoy the knowledge, the history and the company of your fellow boat mates. We were privileged to go on the airboat tour and honored for the alligators, turtles, Ospreys, snakes and other wildlife that were out for viewing. It will not disappoint!

If you ride. Be ready for the distance. He's going for speed. I enjoy going fast so I thought it…read morewas fantastic! They also provide headphones in case the loud motor of the boat moving is too much. Comes with music that I've never heard of, cause when it comes to things like country music, I'm blind. Our speaker, I forgot his name, knew a lot about the area, slowed down many times to enjoy the atmosphere, find animals, and explain the history of the place. He was also funny. This was my first time on an air boat, and it was an excellent experience.

My first Blue Crab and used boat show festival was in late '80's…read more Good home town family fun. Reasonable prices for families and great entertainment. Present time's--Pure out of town mentality, expensive vendors, so-so music, greed, money,money. No fun. The organizer wants eclectic people to attend. This is Palatka. Go to St Augustine if that is your desire. Ditch organizers who idolize the Bub Light advertising disaster. Why must transplants always bring their Yankee ways with them.

Living in a state with so many sunny days there are few reasons to stay indoors, saying that it…read moreisn't very difficult to find some kind of festival within a short drive of wherever you are in Florida. The Blue Crab Festival held each year on Memorial Day Weekend may be the perfect festival to kick off your summer festival season. Although you'll find all the typical arts and craft vendors out in force that's a minor distraction, the real attractions are the Crustaceans to be more specific the infamous blue crab, but by no means is this salute to one of natures most delectable creatures the only feature here, it shares the stage with a lot of its relatives. So if it's possible that the crab cakes, she-crab soup or the soft-shells don't tantalize your tastebuds there are plenty of other options available like the fresh shrimp, crawfish and or a bowl of Arroz a la Marinera (seafood paella) no matter there's plenty of food, cold beer and live music. The festival's backdrop of the beautiful St. John River is absolutely the perfect setting, and with decades of experience in hosting this annual event the City of Palatka has it down pat.