Northeast Florida · FL
Palatka
A St. Johns River steamboat town, rebuilt in brick after 1884.
- Population
- 10,446 (2020 census)
- Incorporated
- January 8, 1853
- Great fire
- November 7, 1884
Then
- 1838
The Army builds Fort Shannon to control the St. Johns River. It is abandoned in 1843.
- 1850s
Steamboats carry winter visitors up the river, and Palatka incorporates in 1853.
- 1862
On October 7, USS Cimarron fires over the town; Mary Boyd persuades the Union commander to spare it.
- 1884
A fire on November 7 destroys most of the hotels. Downtown is rebuilt in brick, and tourism slowly moves elsewhere.
Now
Palatka is the Putnam County seat, where the St. Johns narrows and winds upstream toward Lake George. Ravine Gardens State Park and the 1854 Bronson-Mulholland House are on the National Register.
The Florida Azalea Festival and the Blue Crab Festival are its big annual events.
8 tide stations around Palatka
- Palatka0.5 mi
- Buffalo Bluff4.6 mi
- Sutherlands Still, Dunns Creek5.6 mi
- Piney Bluff Landing7.3 mi
- Palmetto Bluff9.1 mi
- Racy Point, St Johns River11.9 mi
- Welaka12.1 mi
- Tocoi15.3 mi