Green Cove Springs, Florida
Encyclopedia
Green Cove Springs is a city in Clay County
, Florida
, United States
. The population was 5,378 at the 2000 census. As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 6,908. It is the county seat
of Clay County
.
The city is named after the portion of the St. Johns River
upon which the city is built. The river bends here, and the area is sheltered by trees that are perennially green.
Agriculture and tourism were two of the primary economic ventures until the end of the century, when Henry Flagler's
railroad began taking tourist further south into Florida
. In 1895, the Great Freeze
destroyed the areas citrus crops, and tourism all but ended. The 1920s saw renewed development with automobile traffic bringing in tourists again. The Great Depression
of the 1930s saw the end of growth again for the city.
The period immediately before and during World War II again brought new growth to Green Cove Spring. In September 1940, the U.S. Navy opened Naval Air Station Lee Field in honor of Ensign Bejamin Lee who had lost his life in a crash at Killinghome, England during World War I. In August 1943, the facility was renamed Naval Air Station Green Cove Springs (Lee Field) and consisted of four 5000 ft asphalt runways. After the war, NAS Green Cove Springs was downgraded in status to a Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS) as part of the greater NAS Jacksonville complex. A total of 13 piers were also constructed along the west bank of the St. Johns River
adjacent to NAAS Green Cove Springs (Lee Field) to house a U.S. Navy "Mothball Fleet"
of some 600 vessels, primarily destroyers, destroyer escorts and fleet auxiliaries. In 1960, the Navy decommissioned NAAS Green Cove Springs and the pier facility. Some of the mothballed vessels were transferred to foreign navies while others were relocated to other Reserve Fleet locations.
In 1984, the city annexed the former naval base into the city to utilize it for further growth and development as the Clay County Port and Reynolds Industrial Park. The air station is now a private airfield known as Reynolds Airpark (FAA airfield identifier: FL60) with a single 5000 ft asphalt runway currently operational, although reportedly in poor condition. Although the original air station air traffic control tower is still standing, attached to one of the former Navy aircraft hangars, the airfield remains an uncontrolled facility.
Green Cove Springs is the birthplace of Charles E. Merrill
(1885–1956), one of the founders of Merrill, Lynch & Company. The town's spring is described by his son James Merrill
in the poem "Two From Florida," published in The Inner Room
(1988).
Green Cove Springs is also the birthplace of Augusta Savage
Augusta Christine Fells (February 29, 1892 - March 26, 1962) Savage was an African American sculptor associated with the Harlem Renaissance.
Locally, the community is known as the home of Gustafson's Farm, a brand name of milk and dairy products sold throughout Florida. The main Gustafson Dairy Farm is located in Green Cove Springs, Florida, and is one of the largest privately-owned dairy farms in the Southeast United States. Started in 1908, the main farm occupies nearly 10000 acres (40.5 km²) within the city limits. Gustafson's has many bottling plants across the state, stretching from Tallahassee in the west to Tampa and Cocoa in the south. All Gustafson products have the picture of the husband-and-wife founders, Frank and Agnes Gustafson, (also known as Mama and Papa Gus), who along with their first cow on their farm (named "Buttercup") are prominently featured on the packaging of the dairy's products.
:
on June 19, 1849, but its name was changed on October 17, 1853 to Magnolia Mills, and on July 30, 1866, it was changed to Green Cove Springs. The Hibernia post office was reestablished on February 16, 1855, and remained open until May 15, 1931, when it was closed and the area assigned to Green Cove Springs.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 9.4 square miles (24.3 km²), of which, 6.8 square miles (17.6 km²) of it is land and 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²) of it (27.83%) is water.
Green Cove Springs is the county seat of Government for Clay County, Florida. The Greater Green Cove Springs area consists of the unincorporated communities of Fleming Island, Black Creek, Pier Station and Lake Asbury.
of 2000, there were 5,378 people, 1,987 households, and 1,402 families residing in the city. The population density
was 789.0 people per square mile (304.5/km²). There were 2,199 housing units at an average density of 322.6 per square mile (124.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.55% White, 24.40% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.34% from other races
, and 1.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.08% of the population.
There were 1,987 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples
living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 98.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,487, and the median income for a family was $40,443. Males had a median income of $28,097 versus $22,040 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,673. About 14.6% of families and 19.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.2% of those under age 18 and 13.7% of those age 65 or over.
The city has had its own police force since the 1940s. The Green Cove Springs Police Department currently consists of 20 sworn full time officers, 6 part time officers, 7 dispatchers, 2 civilian evidence keepers, a secretary and 2 crossing guards. The police department has officers assigned to joint task forces, full time, such as the D.E.A. Jacksonville Division Task Force and the Clay County Drug Task Force. Areas outside the city limits are patrolled by the Clay County Sheriff's Office.
Clay County, Florida
Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2010, the population was 190,895. Its county seat is Green Cove Springs, Florida. Clay County is part of the Greater Jacksonville Metropolitan area.- History :...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 5,378 at the 2000 census. As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 6,908. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Clay County
Clay County, Florida
Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2010, the population was 190,895. Its county seat is Green Cove Springs, Florida. Clay County is part of the Greater Jacksonville Metropolitan area.- History :...
.
The city is named after the portion of the St. Johns River
St. Johns River
The St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...
upon which the city is built. The river bends here, and the area is sheltered by trees that are perennially green.
History
First inhabited over 7,000 years ago by natives drawn by the warm mineral spring. The spring, locally known as the “Original Fountain of Youth", attracted guests in the 19th Century; there were more than a dozen hotels near the spring. Today the sulphur-scented spring water feeds an adjacent public swimming pool before flowing the short distance to the St. Johns River. The Green Cove Springs area was first developed by George E. Clarke in 1816 when he was provided land, under a Spanish land grant to build a sawmill. Green Cove Springs was established in 1854 as White Sulfur Springs. Renamed in 1866, it became the Clay County seat in 1871.Agriculture and tourism were two of the primary economic ventures until the end of the century, when Henry Flagler's
Henry Morrison Flagler
Henry Morrison Flagler was an American tycoon, real estate promoter, railroad developer and partner of John D. Rockefeller in Standard Oil. He was a key figure in the development of the eastern coast of Florida along the Atlantic Ocean and was founder of what became the Florida East Coast Railway...
railroad began taking tourist further south into Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. In 1895, the Great Freeze
Great Freeze
The Great Freeze refers to the winter of 1894-1895, especially in Florida where the brutally cold weather destroyed much of the nation's citrus crop. It was also known for wiping out the Royal Palm tree from central Florida.-Weather Records:...
destroyed the areas citrus crops, and tourism all but ended. The 1920s saw renewed development with automobile traffic bringing in tourists again. The Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
of the 1930s saw the end of growth again for the city.
The period immediately before and during World War II again brought new growth to Green Cove Spring. In September 1940, the U.S. Navy opened Naval Air Station Lee Field in honor of Ensign Bejamin Lee who had lost his life in a crash at Killinghome, England during World War I. In August 1943, the facility was renamed Naval Air Station Green Cove Springs (Lee Field) and consisted of four 5000 ft asphalt runways. After the war, NAS Green Cove Springs was downgraded in status to a Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS) as part of the greater NAS Jacksonville complex. A total of 13 piers were also constructed along the west bank of the St. Johns River
St. Johns River
The St. Johns River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Florida and its most significant for commercial and recreational use. At long, it winds through or borders twelve counties, three of which are the state's largest. The drop in elevation from the headwaters to the mouth is less than ;...
adjacent to NAAS Green Cove Springs (Lee Field) to house a U.S. Navy "Mothball Fleet"
United States Navy reserve fleets
The United States Navy maintains a number of its ships as part of a reserve fleet, often called the "Mothball Fleet". While the details of the activity have changed several times, the basics are constant: keep the ships afloat and sufficiently working as to be reactivated quickly in an...
of some 600 vessels, primarily destroyers, destroyer escorts and fleet auxiliaries. In 1960, the Navy decommissioned NAAS Green Cove Springs and the pier facility. Some of the mothballed vessels were transferred to foreign navies while others were relocated to other Reserve Fleet locations.
In 1984, the city annexed the former naval base into the city to utilize it for further growth and development as the Clay County Port and Reynolds Industrial Park. The air station is now a private airfield known as Reynolds Airpark (FAA airfield identifier: FL60) with a single 5000 ft asphalt runway currently operational, although reportedly in poor condition. Although the original air station air traffic control tower is still standing, attached to one of the former Navy aircraft hangars, the airfield remains an uncontrolled facility.
Green Cove Springs is the birthplace of Charles E. Merrill
Charles E. Merrill
Charles Edward Merrill was an American philanthropist, stockbroker and co-founder, with Edmund C. Lynch of Merrill Lynch & Company .-Early years:...
(1885–1956), one of the founders of Merrill, Lynch & Company. The town's spring is described by his son James Merrill
James Merrill
James Ingram Merrill was an American poet whose awards include the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for Divine Comedies...
in the poem "Two From Florida," published in The Inner Room
The Inner Room
The Inner Room is a collection of poetry by James Merrill published in 1988 . It is dedicated to Merrill's partner Peter Hooten....
(1988).
Green Cove Springs is also the birthplace of Augusta Savage
Augusta Savage
Augusta Savage, born Augusta Christine Fells was an African-American sculptor associated with the Harlem Renaissance. She was also a teacher and her studio was important to the careers of a rising generation of artists who would become nationally known...
Augusta Christine Fells (February 29, 1892 - March 26, 1962) Savage was an African American sculptor associated with the Harlem Renaissance.
Locally, the community is known as the home of Gustafson's Farm, a brand name of milk and dairy products sold throughout Florida. The main Gustafson Dairy Farm is located in Green Cove Springs, Florida, and is one of the largest privately-owned dairy farms in the Southeast United States. Started in 1908, the main farm occupies nearly 10000 acres (40.5 km²) within the city limits. Gustafson's has many bottling plants across the state, stretching from Tallahassee in the west to Tampa and Cocoa in the south. All Gustafson products have the picture of the husband-and-wife founders, Frank and Agnes Gustafson, (also known as Mama and Papa Gus), who along with their first cow on their farm (named "Buttercup") are prominently featured on the packaging of the dairy's products.
Historic places
The following sites are listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
:
- Clay County Courthouse
- Green Cove Springs Historic DistrictGreen Cove Springs Historic DistrictThe Green Cove Springs Historic District is a U.S. historic district located in Green Cove Springs, Florida. The district is bounded by Bay Street, CSX RR tracks, Center Street, Orange Avenue, St. Elmo Street and St. Johns Road. It contains 78 historic buildings and 1 structure.-External links:* at...
- St. Mary's ChurchSt. Mary's Episcopal Church (Green Cove Springs, Florida)St. Mary's Episcopal Church is an historic Carpenter Gothic church located at 400 St. Johns Avenue in Green Cove Springs, Florida. On February 17, 1978, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.-National Register listing:...
Post Office
A U.S. post office was established at HiberniaHibernia, Florida
Hibernia is an unincorporated community in Clay County, Florida, United States. It is located off US 17, on the western bank of the St. Johns River. It is the home of historic St. Margaret's Episcopal Church and Cemetery.-Post Office:A U.S...
on June 19, 1849, but its name was changed on October 17, 1853 to Magnolia Mills, and on July 30, 1866, it was changed to Green Cove Springs. The Hibernia post office was reestablished on February 16, 1855, and remained open until May 15, 1931, when it was closed and the area assigned to Green Cove Springs.
Geography
Green Cove Springs is located at 29°59′34"N 81°41′2"W (29.992716, -81.683786).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 9.4 square miles (24.3 km²), of which, 6.8 square miles (17.6 km²) of it is land and 2.6 square miles (6.7 km²) of it (27.83%) is water.
Green Cove Springs is the county seat of Government for Clay County, Florida. The Greater Green Cove Springs area consists of the unincorporated communities of Fleming Island, Black Creek, Pier Station and Lake Asbury.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 5,378 people, 1,987 households, and 1,402 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 789.0 people per square mile (304.5/km²). There were 2,199 housing units at an average density of 322.6 per square mile (124.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.55% White, 24.40% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.34% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.08% of the population.
There were 1,987 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 98.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,487, and the median income for a family was $40,443. Males had a median income of $28,097 versus $22,040 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $17,673. About 14.6% of families and 19.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.2% of those under age 18 and 13.7% of those age 65 or over.
The city has had its own police force since the 1940s. The Green Cove Springs Police Department currently consists of 20 sworn full time officers, 6 part time officers, 7 dispatchers, 2 civilian evidence keepers, a secretary and 2 crossing guards. The police department has officers assigned to joint task forces, full time, such as the D.E.A. Jacksonville Division Task Force and the Clay County Drug Task Force. Areas outside the city limits are patrolled by the Clay County Sheriff's Office.
External links
- OurGreenCoveSprings
- Greater Green Cove Civic Association
- City of Green Cove Springs official site
- http://claycountyhistoricalsociety.org// Clay County Historical Society