The rise and fall of San Marco's Oriental Gardens

[thelakelander]

Situated just south of San Marco's Craig Creek, Oriental Gardens was a tourist attraction that charmed Jacksonville visitors for nearly two decades.

Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/the-rise-and-fall-of-san-marcos-oriental-gardens/

[Wacca Pilatka]

Is the developer the same George Clark whose very fine Klutho-designed prairie house on Riverside was demolished in the 70s?

[jaxlongtimer]

Just another example over the decades of Jacksonville not appreciating what makes the area special to lose something like this.  Add it to the movie industry we once had, the loss of historic buildings, the rampant urban sprawl replacing beautiful natural lands surrounding the City or the lack of appreciation for properly caring for our river.

[ben says]

Spent the first 30 years of my life here; born and raised. Remember growing up to stories re: what Oriental Gardens "used to be"...

Despite the 2-3 McMansions that have popped up on the street recently, it'll always maintain some of that "old school JAX" charm to me

[MusicMan]

" the rampant urban sprawl replacing beautiful natural lands "

Have you seen the Everglades recently..?

[JPalmer]

This is pretty cool, but I do think flooding is pretty bad down there now.

[jaxlongtimer]

" the rampant urban sprawl replacing beautiful natural lands "

Have you seen the Everglades recently..?

With respect to this comment, I would say much of Florida's natural beauty has been raped by rampant development.  As a native Floridian, it is sad to see so much that has disappeared.  We mostly live in a "manufactured" setting today.  In fairness, I am not so sure Florida is the only place to experience this but I do think the State has suffered much more than many others.

[MusicMan]

Walked my dog on Oriental Gardens yesterday. I know in the past they had drainage issues but I saw no evidence of any problems ongoing.
It's a nice street. There remains a "concrete" creek which is a remnant of what was there decades ago.