San Marco Area
San Marco Area Jacksonville
The Exquisite San Marco Neighborhood
This
much sought-after neighborhood can no longer grow in size but has
however consistently appreciated from year to year. High society of
yesteryear and modern times come together in a charmingly understated
community called San Marco. The real estate market in San Marco is
extremely active, most properties selling within weeks of marketing.
The reason is simple... few houses for sale and a waiting list of
buyers. People seeking to buy in San Marco must be patient and act
quickly whenever a property is placed on the market for sale.
San
Marco is also much more than houses. Its bustling business/fine arts
district attracts thousands of locals and visitors each day where we
find casual, yet sophisticated diners and cafes. Art lovers love the
galleries within its borders and check out the marquis at Theatre
Jacksonville, home to the nations oldest continuously operating
community theatre group. You can even catch a movie at the San Marco
Theatre, which opened in 1938.
The
earliest beginnings of San Marco were in the affairs of a 19th century
socialite named Martha Reed Mitchell, wife of millionaire railroad
tycoon Alexander Mitchell. The Mitchells fell in love with the area,
then called Oklahoma. Mrs Mitchell persuaded her husband to buy a
140-acre tract of land along the St. Johns River, which she soon
transformed into an elaborate setting for the couple's winter palace,
which was named "Villa Alexandria."
After
Mrs Mitchell passed away several events in the first quarter of this
century caused a boom in residential building. World War I brought
ships workers by the thousands to support the war effort in
Jacksonville's ports. The opening of the St. Johns River Bridge and the
expansion of the railroad system make transportation into the area
easier.
During
the mid 1920's, real estate developer Telfair Stockton proposed an
80-acre subdivision. The triangular shaped commercial district called
"San Marco Square" was designed and named after the famous St. Mark's
Square in Venice. Just before the Stock Market Crash of 1929, Telfair
Stockton makes plans to purchase and redevelop Villa Alexandria. It is
here that the mansions of San Marco's new wealthy citizen still stand,
including those of John and Carl Swisher of the famous King Edward
Cigar Company.
Today,
San Marco remains one of the few areas that has managed to make room
for modern advancements, without relinquishing its old world charm.
