About the San Marco Preservation Society


Our Mission


The Preservation Society works to preserve and renew San Marco as an area of historical and architectural significance for the benefit of local residents and businesses and the education and enjoyment of visitors and the public at large.

A BRIEF HISTORY


The area we know today as San Marco has a long and rich history, known by many names over many years. Starting as a 216-acre Spanish land grant in 1793, the land was transferred to the Craig and Hendricks families, passed down through generations, then sold into residential parcels after the Civil War. Retiring Florida Governor Harrison Reed bought a considerable eastern portion and platted it as South Jacksonville; the western remainder was platted by Elizabeth Hendricks and called Oklahoma; and just south of Oklahoma, the large Alexandria Estate was established by Governor Reed’s sister Martha and her husband, railroad tycoon Alexander Mitchell.

In 1901, at the time of the Great Jacksonville Fire, the Southbank was primarily a ferry landing and shipyard site. As fire ravaged the Northbank, the Southbank became a refuge for families. South Jacksonville was formed in 1907, and development began in earnest with the opening of the St. John’s River (Acosta) Bridge in 1921. Telfair Stockton bought 80 acres of land north of the Mitchell Estate for the new San Marco subdivision and business center. The street names and business district were inspired by the Piazza di San Marco in Venice, Italy.

San Marco was an immediate success. An additional subdivision, Villa Alexandria, was then platted on the overgrown estate in 1929. The first two homes in this development were built by Carl and John Swisher, who had just moved their King Edward Cigar Company from Chicago to Jacksonville.

In 1932, Greater Jacksonville absorbed the South Jacksonville municipality and development transformed the area into much of the community seen today.

STAFF


San Marco Preservation Hall


Preservation Hall Coordinator
Katie Kennedy
(904) 396-4734

Tours by appointment only.

EMAIL

South Jacksonville City Hall


Office Administrator
Jacki Vadney
(904) 396-0081

Office Administrator Hours:
Mon / Wed / Thurs: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

EMAIL

BOARD


2022-2023 Officers

Lauren Carlucci

President


David Paulk

Vice President

Michelle Lang

Secretary

Mack Volk

Treasurer

Desiree Bailey

Immediate Past President

Committee Chairmen

vacant

Beautification

Anna Valent

Membership

Leah Tolisano Rand

Public Relations

Robin Robinson

Historic Resources

Brittany Hegi

Safety

Linzee Ott

Governance

Anita Morrill & Dalton Tolliver

Events

Andrew Tyrell

Planning & Zoning

William Michaelis

Legal

Brittany Hegi

Traffic, Pedestrian, & Bicycle

vacant

Arts

vacant

Grants

Jon Singleton

CPAC

Pat Andrews

Parks

 

Special Projects

Andrew Dickson   |   Valerie Feinberg   |   Doug Skiles

San Marco By Design

Directors Emeritus

Zim Boulos

Lori Boyer

Suzanne Perritt

Rob Smith

Advisory Members

Joe Cronk

Keith Kimball

Doug Skiles

Mary Toomey

Other

 

LeAnna Cumber

City Council District 5 

Desiree Bailey

SMMA Liaison