Hilliard area history tour

Hilliard area history tour

 Story and photos by JOHN MCCOY

Jan H. Johannes talked about what we would see.

John Hendricks, West Nassau Historical Society President, welcomed us to the History Tour of Hilliard, Kings Ferry and Boulogne August 2. I joined the more than 30 people participating in the tour. Jan H. Johannes, author of Yesterday's Reflections and Yesterday's Reflections II, books which tell much of the history of Nassau County in words and photos, talked about what we were to see and then led our caravan.

After traveling through much of Hilliard where we had a chance to look at buildings and locations significantly relating to the town's history, we headed for Kings Ferry. One of our stops, the Kings Ferry Cemetery, has been a burial ground since the 1700's.

Kings Ferry Cemetery

The St. Mary's River which forms the eastern portion of the boundary between Florida and Georgia provided many photo opportunities. We were able to visit the historic Russell House, built in 1875, to get an idea of how people lived in that era. The floors and furniture were beautiful and there was even a "claw footed" tub on the second floor.

It was fun to imagine sitting on the balcony or in the yard watching the large sailing ships come up the River to Kings Ferry and beyond, to pick up timber and replenish fresh water supplies. The 

We were able to visit the historic Russell House, built in 1875.

mood was kind of spoiled as a jet ski roared by.

The ships carried round stones, called "ballast rock," to safely come across the ocean and then dumped them at Kings Ferry when they loaded the timber. Some of the "rock" can still be seen.

Another stop on our tour was the Kings Ferry Store, location of the "Liar's Tree," which has quite a reputation. As the driving tour brochure pointed out, "…many a tale was blown out of proportion under its limbs." We stopped there to pick up lunch.

At another location, Jan told us about the history of Boulogne which dates back to the British era of 1770-1780. While still an "entrance community of Florida, the Interstate Highway system built in the 1970's dramatically reduced the traffic along this route."

The Kings Ferry Store, location of the "Liar's Tree."

The static display depicting the history of this area will continue at the Hilliard Library throughout the month of August. Please call the Historical Society at 879-3406 for more information and come to the next meeting, August 28, at the Callahan Depot to hear a guest speaker.

 

The St. Mary's River which forms the eastern portion of the boundary between Florida and Georgia.

 

 

 

Ballast rocks can still be found.