Audio
Saturiwa Trail Tour Stop 23
Transcript
MARKER #23 - RIBAULT CLUB, PARTNERSHIP AND FORT GEORGE ISLAND VISITORS CENTER
Here I would like to give you a little more detail on the rehabilitation of the Ribault Club. As mentioned earlier the club was originally established in 1928 as a playground for the wealthy northerners as part of an early attempt to develop Florida’s real estate and tourism potential. The Club faltered through the Depression and World War II. It was sold several times, used for a variety of purposes, and finally boarded up and left as a distant reminder of what it once was.
In 1991, the Florida Park Service assembled a group of interested citizens, formed the Ribault Task Force and posed the question – “Is the Ribault Club worth saving and how could it be used to best serve the community in the park setting?” Interest and support rallied. Initial restoration funding began with the FPS and historic preservation grants from the Florida Dept. of State.
The project was completed through an innovative partnership between the City of Jacksonville, the National Park Service and the Florida Park Service – now known as the Timucuan Trail State and National Parks. A four year multi-million dollar rehabilitation is now complete. The Ribault Club held its grand re-opening in Dec. 2003, 75 years after the first grand opening in 1928.
This historic landmark now serves as a gateway to Fort George Island and the Timucuan Trail, with interpretive displays orienting visitors to the rich 6000 year history of Fort George Island. A bookstore is also available.
The Ribault Club’s Grand Rooms are available for event and meeting spaces, revenue from which supports the continued maintenance and protection of this architectural treasure.
Please visit the Fort George Island Visitor Center in the Ribault Club between 9AM & 5 PM Wednesday to Sunday to complete your Fort George Island interpretive experience.
We hope that you have enjoyed this audio tour through the various historical periods on Fort George Island and would like to invite you to participate in other interpretive programs held by the Park Rangers.
Description
Ribault Club Partnership and Fort George Island Visitor Center
Credit
Florida Park Service/NPS
Date Created
12/23/2021
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