Just wondering what everyone's thoughts would be had the city had never changed its name, if the history is correct.
The city wasn't really ever called Cowgord. The "Cowford" or "Cow Ford" was just the part of the river with the crossing.
It would have been named after something else eventually.
It could have been named "Alimacani" just as we have towns named Detroit, Peoria, Pontiac, all named after local tribal chiefs.
Another name it "could" have been is:
Caroline
San Pablo
Maytown/Mayville
Fort George
Ribaultville
We'd still be better than flushing NY, or dinkytown MN: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinkytown
Won't you take me to...Dinkytown!?
Won't you take me to... Dinkytown?
:D
Jeffreyville most likely.
What if the St Johns River shore - to - shore shallow water feature that reportedly allowed Cows to "Ford",or Cross the St Johns River had remained to this time?(Pretty much as newly Placed Mayor Delaney once proclaimed at about River Summit # 1 era- envisioned River Restoration to "Pristine 100 year prior condition.....)
Where in fact did the Cows traipse ( and we must,hopefully,assume Humans frolicked)- while crossing across the River on their own legs? 8) Was the Cow Walk crossing perhaps a myth?
Interesting, we here in Jacksonville are not nearly as prone to call for "Restoration" of River feature on the scale of South Florida's "Everglades"Restoration.We here in J Ville are consigned to dealing with Corps of Engineers/Civic promotions of deepening the River just a Wee Bit. And even comprehensive Glades restoration to the condition of Jacksonville Cow Ford period pretty much impossible.It would entail allowing for an Everglades "Strand" arching from interior present day "Preserved" Glades on through the existing urban corridor at about the Dade/Broward line-to the Ocean.As one example. As provocative as allowing Cow and Human shallow water leg crossing on today's St Johns. At least as current priorities are concerned.
:)
Cowcross Cowdrown Cowswim Cowslaughter Cowbog CowBBQ Cowroast Cowdungrapids
StJohnsRiverKeeperJustLikeWorldwideEvergladesKeeper
hmmmmm..........not as resilient as Cowford
I know of a few Jacksonville Natives who would rather see a different name for the County.
There is some buzz over yet another recent "Best Place" to live poll- 50 Cities profiled,some routinely recognizable, many with downright weird sounding names with precious little catchy affinity.(Many are "Edge Cities")The name of a place not nearly as critical as function, placement.
"Cowford" no less funky than so many good places to live today.
Officially renaming to Cowford might be an attention getting option, over the top so to speak.
Keep walkin'!,Keep Fording
Quote from: Know Growth on September 18, 2014, 05:00:54 PM
Where in fact did the Cows traipse ( and we must,hopefully,assume Humans frolicked)- while crossing across the River on their own legs? 8) Was the Cow Walk crossing perhaps a myth?
There is a historic marker between the Friendship Fountain and the river that marks where the crossing spot started.
The river has been dredged and the shoreline changed significantly since the days of fording the cows. The dredging, which started a few years after the civil war changed the flow of the river permanently. The need to get more and more water bound commerce to the Jacksonville docks and get deeper drafts further down the St John's drove it. (Just as they are trying to do today)