White Oak Plantation (FOR SALE)

[blizz01]

I saw a couple of stories indicating that the 7,400-acre plantation and animal conservation center was for sale.  I just had a "Don't know what you've got 'till it's gone" moment.  I wonder how many people even know that it exists - can the average layperson visit?  A couple of years ago my (old) company hosted a conference on site (by invite) & it was pretty amazing - but in a flash.  Would love to see MJ consider a tour & write-up.

Report: White Oak Plantation for sale

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=536175

[ben says]

I saw a couple of stories indicating that the 7,400-acre plantation and animal conservation center was for sale.  I just had a "Don't know what you've got 'till it's gone" moments.  I wonder how many people even know that it exists - can the average layperson visit?  A couple of years ago my (old) company hosted a conference on site (by invite) & it was pretty amazing - but in a flash.  Would love to see MJ consider a tour & write-up.

Report: White Oak Plantation for sale

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=536175

Born and raised Jacksonville, had no idea this place existed until about 4 months ago. Would love to check it out.

[copperfiend]

I have a family member that was invited there a few ago for golf. It seems like a pretty awesome place.

[floridaforester]

The place is amazing and, when Howard Gilman was alive, the Gilman foundation did some incredibly good works in supporting the arts and wildlife conservation (and still do in my understanding).  I believe they hosted an annual Barishnikov (sp?) dance workshop and their conservation breeding efforts for endangered wildlife is incredible.  We had an opportunity to camp there one weekend on the St. Mary's river and received a private tour of the breeding facility.  What an amazing place!  Florida panthers, Reticulated giraffe, Cassowary, Okapi, you name it in endangered megafauna and it was probably there.

Howard was truly a generous soul and after his death, the foundation kind of drifted in my limited knowledge of it.  I think they had proposed selling some of the timberland years ago but not sure what ever came of that.   I sure hope that the foundation can continue the good work to which it has dedicated so many years and millions of dollars.

[Kaiser Soze]

I saw a couple of stories indicating that the 7,400-acre plantation and animal conservation center was for sale.  I just had a "Don't know what you've got 'till it's gone" moments.  I wonder how many people even know that it exists - can the average layperson visit?  A couple of years ago my (old) company hosted a conference on site (by invite) & it was pretty amazing - but in a flash.  Would love to see MJ consider a tour & write-up.

Report: White Oak Plantation for sale

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=536175

Born and raised Jacksonville, had no idea this place existed until about 4 months ago. Would love to check it out.

Amazing how few, even Jacksonville natives, know of White Oak.

[mbwright]

 It was always an exclusive place, and as such, not publicized, or open to the public.  I would have liked to visit, but was not open for visitors. 

http://howardgilmanfoundation.org/gilman/index.html

Large plantations are very expensive to maintain.  There are many in the Tallahassee/Thomasville, GA area.  Most are in conservation easements for tax purposes. 

[mbwright]

in the jax daily record, via WSJ
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=536175

[ben says]

It was always an exclusive place, and as such, not publicized, or open to the public.  I would have liked to visit, but was not open for visitors. 

http://howardgilmanfoundation.org/gilman/index.html

Large plantations are very expensive to maintain.  There are many in the Tallahassee/Thomasville, GA area.  Most are in conservation easements for tax purposes.

Is it still closed to visitors?

[Dog Walker]

Was puttering along the St. Mary's River many years ago in a small boat when I spotted a rhinoceros standing on the bank.  Totally freaked me out and had me sniffing at my soft drink to see what was in it.

Didn't know about White Oak at the time, but have had the opportunity to visit a few time since.  Fantastic place.  Once watched a keeper kicking soccer balls for the cheetahs to chase.  She said it was the only way to exercise them.  And yes, they are incredibly fast. 

[blizz01]

+1 (that would have been crazy)

[JaxNative68]

i've played golf out there many times.  it was surreal to drive past rhinos and other large wildlife while on your way to the club house.  it was even more surreal to have a nine hole golf course, which was immaculately groomed, completely empty, except for your foursome.  While playing you would never see another sole.  no matter how many times you emptied the beer from the complimentary refrigerator, it would always magically restock itself before you returned a few holes later.  half way through your round you could call for lunch and it would also magically appear in the center pavilion before you arrived.  you could even take a break and bowl a few frame and have a few cocktails during your round.  if you talked to the club pro, he had great stories of us presidents (especially clinton) and other worldly dignitaries that would stay and play golf there.  also stories of wild private golf parties, where anything and everything you can image happened.  it was definitely one of the most private off the radar places in the outskirts of jax.  it most definitely is not the same since gilman passed.

[blizz01]

~ Sort of conjures up memories of the Greenbrier Hotel in W Va. (of old).

[JeffreyS]

I have been out there several times wonderful place but probably ready for someone else to take the reins.  Hope there is a party interested.

[blizz01]

The Weaver's have some extra cash & spare time these days - and I hear that he likes jaguars....

[danno]

My family owns 85 acres that adjoins the south and west of White Oak.. We have spotted several Florida panthers over the years.