Green Cove Springs is a city located along the west bank of the historic St. Johns River and since 1871 has served as the County Seat of Government for Clay County, Florida.  The current population estimate is 6,970, as of April 2013 based on information from the University of Florida’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BEBR).

 

The city’s name originates from the three physical characteristics.  “Green” refers to the perennially green vegetation characterized by its tree scape and foliage.  “Cove” refers to a bend in the St. Johns River creating a safe area for mooring of boats during inclement weather periods.  “Springs” refers to the natural spring (one of 600 in Florida), originating from the “Floridan Aquifer” with an estimated flow rate of approximately 2,200 gallons per minute.  The spring water flows into the west side of the municipal swimming pool and then flows out the east side forming a stream eventually emptying into the St. Johns River.

 

The first inhabitants of this region some 5,000 years ago were natives referred to as aboriginals, who were attracted to the area because of the warm mineral spring.  The spring (also referred to as “The Boil”) was a source of sustenance and curative qualities for a variety of sicknesses.  The medicinal qualities of the spring and its location along the St. Johns River served as major contributors to the community’s development as a prominent attraction and destination for tourists during the 19th Century.  

 

The first development of the area to become Green Cove Springs was by George I. F. Clarke in 1816 from land he received from a Spanish Land Grant.  Mr. Clark used the land for construction and operation of a lumber or sawmill for harvesting of Live Oak trees. 

 

In 1854, “White Sulfur Springs” was the name of the first development attempted by David Palmer and Sarah Ferris, in 1866 was renamed “Green Cove Springs” including establishment of the first Post Office, and later became the County Seat of Clay County in 1871.  On November 2, 1874, the Town of Green Cove Springs officially incorporated.  Live Oak harvesting was the major industry during this period.

 

During the late 1880’s, the town experienced great prosperity as evidenced by the large number and quality of hotels constructed near the spring and surrounding area.  The medicinal qualities of the spring and tropical climate of the area during the winter months made Green Cove Springs a popular vacation destination.  Because of its prominence, it earned recognition as “The Saratoga of the South”, “The Parlor City” and “Watering Hole for the Rich”.  Tourists and visitors journeyed along the St. Johns River from Jacksonville by Riverboats bearing names like “The Florence”, “The Magnolia”, “The Manatee”, and “The May Garner”.  Northern visitors enjoyed the warm climate of the community and the medicinal qualities of the Spring during the winter months staying at several hotels like “The Cherokee”, “The Clarendon”, “The Magnolia Springs Hotel”, “The Morganza”, “The Mohawk”, “The Qui-si-Sana”, “The Oakland”, and “The St. Elmo”.  The accommodations of these hotels were comparable to famous hotels in cities like Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia.