While residents of Deerwood and Deer Creek enjoy the quiet and serenity of their communities, Jacksonville proper is just minutes away, offering all the amenities of a major metropolitan area. The “First Coast” features miles of unspoiled beaches; ecological and nature based excursions; historical sites and architecture; sporting, gaming and cultural activities; unique shopping and dining; and numerous festivals and events.
The Florida Theatre and Alhambra Dinner Theatre provide top-notch entertainment, as does the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and others at the Time Union Center For The Performing Arts. A variety of special events and live bands can be seen at the Jacksonville Landing, located downtown on the river. In addition there are numerous Night Life spots for all to enjoy.
From the mighty St. Johns River, to the many creeks that flow into it, to the Atlantic Ocean, just minutes away from downtown, Jacksonville is framed by water. This proximity to water coupled with the mild climate (average daily winter high is 66 degrees Fahrenheit) favors recreational activities year round. Whatever your business or pleasure: golf, tennis, boating, fishing, surfing, theater, museums, history, or shopping, you can enjoy it all in Jacksonville.
The history of Northeast Florida dates back more than 500 years. The area was first inhabited by Timucuan Indians who lived along the creeks and waterways. The Spanish came into the area in 1513, led by Juan Ponce de Leon. He named the area La Florida and, in doing so, established the region's rich tradition of history and heritage. In 1564, the French built Fort Caroline in what is now Jacksonville, establishing the first Protestant colony in America. They lost their foothold in Florida to the Spanish, who conquered the French and built a settlement in nearby St. Augustine in 1565, 55 years before the Mayflower landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Today, located at the crossroads of two transcontinental highways, Jacksonville continues to make history as one of the nation's largest cities in land area, a major port city, financial center, site of Navy bases, and home of the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars, a Mayo Clinic medical center, Jacksonville Zoological Gardens, beautiful beaches, numerous waterways and more than one million residents.