The St. Johns River is the longest river within the state of Florida. Flowing over 300 miles from Central Florida north to Jacksonville and then east to the Atlantic Ocean, it is a vital natural waterway. The river has both a rich past and a long-standing relationship with the wildlife living in, along, and around it. More than 3.5 million people reside on or near the river, including in the cities of Jacksonville, Green Cove Springs, Palatka, and Sanford. Exploring the St. Johns River shows the human history of this waterway-and the lakes in Central Florida that are part of the river-from early European explorations to the most recent developments of the 21st century.

This book was created to showcase the history, ecology, and waterways of the St. Johns River. Andrew R. Nicholas is a historian and a native of North Florida. He graduated from University of North Florida, majoring in history, and is a member of the Jacksonville Historical Society. The photographs in this book appear courtesy of the State Archives of Florida, Jacksonville Historical Society, Clay County Historical Archives, West Volusia Historical Society, Stetson University, and numerous Florida residents. The Images of America series celebrates the history of neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the country. Using archival photographs, each title presents the distinctive stories from the past that shape the character of the community today.

Arcadia is proud to play a part in the preservation of local heritage, making history available to all.