How Jacksonville, Florida Got Its Name: Honoring a Future President

On January 10, 1822, surveyor Isaiah D. Hart laid out the original town plat on the north bank of the St. Johns River. He named it Jacksonville after Andrew Jackson—then the first military governor of the newly organized Florida Territory (1821–1822), later the 7th U.S. President (1829–1837).

Why Jackson?

• National hero of the War of 1812 (Battle of New Orleans).
• Led the 1818 First Seminole War invasion of Spanish Florida, forcing cession (Adams-Onís Treaty, 1819).
• As military governor, he established U.S. authority—controversially executing two British subjects (Arbuthnot & Ambrister) and ruling by decree.

Before "Jacksonville"

The site was known as Wacca Pilatka (Timucua: "cows crossing") or Cow Ford (British, 1763–1783)—a natural river crossing for cattle. Spanish called it Paso de la Vaca.

Incorporation & Growth

• 1832: Town charter.
• 1847: City charter.
• 1859: Railroad terminus (Florida, Atlantic & Gulf) sparked boom.
• 1901: Great Fire destroyed 146 blocks; rebuilt as modern city.
• 1968: Consolidation with Duval County → largest city by land area in contiguous US (875 sq mi).

Jackson never visited his namesake city. But his Florida conquest made American Jacksonville possible.