Mural of Jean Ribault 's Landing in Florida, 1562

At 5 p.m, May 1, 2012, on the 4th floor of the Main library, JPL will host the unveiling of Lee Adams' painting of French Captain Jean Ribault's landing at the mouth of the River of May (as he named it; known now as the St. Johns River), May 1, 1562.  He raised a monument claiming the land for the King of France and proclaiming the land This 450th anniversary will also be celebrated with other events sponsored by other local organizations (click here for more information: http://www.coj.net/commemorate450.aspx) because of its historical importance.  Lee Adams' mural, largely restored after years of neglect, will be a bold reminder of Florida's rich history and entice customers to search out JPL's Florida Collection to see our state's impact on the development of this this nation.

History of the Mural and the Pillar Depicted in It:
 The mural depicts a time priod of 1562-1565.  Jean Ribault set the original pillar in place on May 2, 1562, proclaiming the land to be New France.  The famous drawing, credited to Jacques le Moynes, has made history books around the wrold, depicts Rene de Laudonniere and Chief Satouriba's son, Athore, at the pillar.

1924 marked the 300th anniversary of the beginning of Huguenot immigration to America and the time was used to celebrate the landing of Jean Ribault in 1562.  A Mrs. Cooley, who was a member of the Jacksonville Chapter of the DAR, wanted to honor the Huguenots and the Chapter designed a replica of the column Ribault left at Mayport, raised money to produce it, and it was installed at Mayport on May 1, 1924, on land known as Wonderwood-By-The-Sea, owned by Mrs. Elizabeth Starke.  She wrote that Easter sunrise services were held there for more than a decade.

In 1940, Mrs. Starke's land was claimed for the Naval Station Mayport and the monument was moved probably to another loction on the base.  Later theit was moved to a site on Mayport Road.

In 1959 the monument was moved again to land designated as Ft. Caroline Natinal Memorial.  After that, many streets and subdividsions in the area took on names connected with the French Huguenot colony of La Caroline.  The monmument will be rededicated on May 1, 2012, by the National Park Service and the DAR. 

  
Last paragraph:
Input for this article was drawn from a memo from Michelle Barth, Deputy Chief of Staff, Mayor Alvin Brown's office to the library Board of Trustees and from input provided by Mrs. Lyn Corley of Jacksonville.  Mrs. Croley is a history buff and found this painting in a local school cafeteria, then worked with two mayors and the Library Board of Trustees to get it finally placed at the Main Library.