Mandarin FL Real Estate
Mandarin is a neighborhood located in the southernmost
portion of Jacksonville, in Duval County, Florida. It is located on the eastern
bank of the St. Johns River, across from Orange Park.
Mandarin is named after the Mandarin orange. Once called “a tropical
paradise” by author Harriett Beecher Stowe, the quaint area of Mandarin is
marked by its history, ancient oak trees draped with Spanish moss, beautiful
parks, marinas and more water views than any other area in Jacksonville.
In the 1800s, Mandarin was a small farming village
that shipped oranges, grapefruit, lemons and other fruits and vegetables to
Jacksonville and points north on the steamships that traveled the St. Johns
River.
In 1867 the famous author of Uncle Tom's
Cabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe bought a cottage here. For the next seventeen
winters, she welcomed tourists debarking from the steamers making their way down
the St. Johns River and charged them 75 cents each to meet her and admire her
surroundings. Stowe, although best known for her novel Uncle Tom's Cabin about
the cruelty of slavery, also wrote about Florida .
In 1968, the city of Jacksonville and most of Duval
County formed a consolidated municipal unit. As part of this process, Mandarin
ceased to exist as a political entity, and became part of the City of
Jacksonville. While Mandarin now is just a small section of the City of
Jacksonville, its natural beauty, parks and historic buildings draw visitors
from around the world. Just a short drive south of Jacksonville’s city center,
the community is bordered by Beauclerc to the north, Julington Creek to the
south and St. John’s River to the west.
Today, Mandarin is an upscale suburban community with
beautiful tree lined neighborhoods, large riverfront estates, and a family
oriented quality of life. Mandarin is about the active lifestyle, with great
schools, abundant recreational activities, and shopping of every kind. Mandarin
is a wonderful place to live and experience everything Florida has to offer in
beautiful, historic surroundings!