Ray family find Fort Caroline?

[Tacachale]

This morning (July 28) Lake Ray IV, son of Florida Representative Lake Ray III, posted the following to his Facebook:

FORT CAROLINE HAS BEEN FOUND!!!! After nearly 450 years of being lost, I'm pleased to announce that after years of searching, Ft Caroline has been located. The team consisted of my father, Lake Ray, III, Mark Lloyd and myself. A press conference is planned for tomorrow at 10:30 to release the location. Details and location of the press conference to be released this afternoon. This is the find of the century. I'm truly blessed to have been part of this team!

The post has started to make the rounds on the internet.

[RiversideLoki]

This morning (July 28) Lake Ray IV, son of Florida Representative Lake Ray III, posted the following to his Facebook:

FORT CAROLINE HAS BEEN FOUND!!!! After nearly 450 years of being lost, I'm pleased to announce that after years of searching, Ft Caroline has been located. The team consisted of my father, Lake Ray, III, Mark Lloyd and myself. A press conference is planned for tomorrow at 10:30 to release the location. Details and location of the press conference to be released this afternoon. This is the find of the century. I'm truly blessed to have been part of this team!

The post has started to make the rounds on the internet.

Highly skeptical, but if it's true hopefully it will put the "Ft. Caroline actually in Georgia" thing to rest.

[Tacachale]

^Yes, definitely. For anyone interested, the "Fort Caroline in Georgia" hypothesis was discussed at Metro Jacksonville here. It was proposed by Fletcher Crowe and Anita Spring, who believe the fort was actually on the Altamaha River in Georgia.

This theory is interesting, but the French and Spanish documentary evidence points to the the St. Johns River. It has been specifically challenged by Robert Thunen of UNF and Chuck Meide of the St. Augustine Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program.

Incidentally, Crowe and Spring's theory is similar to one proposed by Richard Thornton, a Georgia architect who promotes a number of fringe theories about southeastern history. For instance, he claims the Mayans built pyramids in Georgia. That was discussed at Metro Jacksonville here.

It will be interesting to see what exactly it is the Rays have found.

[Ocklawaha]

Tacachale, I believe the cannons displayed at Yellow Bluff Fort are Spanish, they are said to have come from the St. Johns River, perhaps one of the early dredging projects. I wonder if that story could be traced back if it might not lend a hand to whatever the Ray's have? Have you ever heard this story?

[Tacachale]

No, I hadn't heard that before. I'll have to look that up. I'm very interested to see whatever it is the Rays have found.

[spuwho]

I drove by Darien GA last night thinking about this. I hope this is the real deal!!!

[IrvAdams]

We live only a few miles from the Fort Caroline Monument. I love this area. Can't wait to hear details on this!

[Starbuck]

I'm guessing that it is Pauline Island.

[Charles Hunter]

[evil Charles Hunter]
Maybe it is on Lake Ray's property on Fort Caroline Road, next to the Dames Point Bridge - wonder how much the Park Service will pay for it?
[/eCH]

[RiversideLoki]

Is anyone going to the presser/liveblogging? I'm stuck at work or I'd be there in a heartbeat. Is it going to be covered by local media? I would hope so, this is super exciting!

[Tacachale]

I haven't heard anything about this from the media, although Fort Caroline has been in the news recently.

[cowford]

Hello all.  Long time lurker.  First time poster.  Here is what I found on Lake Ray's Facebook:  Please join me at 10:30 at the Jacksonville Historical Society for the Fort Caroline discovery press conference.

[cowford]

Just a couple of pictures so far on the Twitter feed. https://twitter.com/Jax_History/status/494134907312934913

[cowford]

From the Jacksonville Historical Society Twitter feed:

[cowford]