Compared to most ports in the United States – particularly the ports along the Eastern Seaboard – the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT) is a relatively new entity. It was created by a special act of the Florida Legislature in 1963 to develop, maintain and market Jacksonville’s port facilities.
However, the port area itself is hundreds of years old. In 1565 English sailors traded guns and ammunition to the French from Fort Caroline for food and a boat. This is considered the first...