Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Palatka (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Bronson-Mulholland House, East Palatka, and Dunns Creek State Park. Also, be sure to include Ravine Gardens State Park in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Palatka (Florida).
Table of Contents
Bronson-Mulholland House
Museum in Palatka, Florida. The Bronson–Mulholland House, is an historic site located at 100 Madison Street, in Palatka, Florida. Sunny Point was built in 1854. On December 27, 1972, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.[1]
Address: 100 Madison St, 32177-3529 Palatka
East Palatka
Census-designated place in Florida. East Palatka is a census-designated place in Putnam County, Florida, United States. It is located on the east side of the City of Palatka at the intersection of U.S. Route 17/State Road 20/State Road 100 and the southwestern terminus of State Road 207. The population was 1,654 at the 2010 census.
East Palatka is home to the Palatka State Farmer's Market, as well as the Putnam County Fairgrounds.[2]
Dunns Creek State Park
State park in Putnam County, Florida. Dunns Creek State Park is a Florida State Park, located approximately 15 miles south of Palatka, on US 17.[3]
Address: 320 Sisco Rd, Palatka
Ravine Gardens State Park
State park in Palatka, Florida. Ravine Gardens State Park is a 59-acre Florida State Park located in Palatka, Florida. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
The park was constructed by the Works Progress Administration, with cypress buildings, rock gardens and fieldstone terraces. Near the park entrance is The Court of States and a 64-foot (20 m) obelisk dedicated to Franklin D. Roosevelt.[4]
Larimer Arts Center
Library. Larimer Memorial Library is a historic library at 216 Reid Street in the city of Palatka, Putnam County, Florida, in the United States. It was given to the Arts Council of Greater Palatka in 1992, and renamed the Larimer Arts Center. On March 12, 2008, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
The library, commissioned by James Ross Mellon, a wealthy seasonal resident of the city, was constructed in 1929 at a cost of $100,000. Henry John Klutho was selected to design the structure. Mellon named the library for his wife Rachel Hughey Larimer. The library would be dedicated and donated to the City of Palatka in April 1930 in an event attended by thousands. The presidents of the University of Florida, Florida Southern College, Stetson University, and the Florida State College for Women each spoke at the ceremony.
Of Klutho's surviving buildings, by 1983 the Larimer was one of only 3 listed as still being in “excellent condition”. The building's architectural style is a mix of the Prairie School and Art Deco. It is constructed of limestone with a basement and one story above. The otherwise symmetrical façade of the building bears two phrases: “Ignorance breeds crime” on the left of the entrance and “Knowledge is power” to the right. Iron filigree adorns the recessed portico of the building's double door entranceway at the top of a flight of steps. Upon the library's completion, there were two reading rooms to either side of entrance. The library's bookshelves were on the first floor, across the backside of the building. These bookshelves housed 50,000 books, as well as other publications such as newspapers. Until 1992 when the library was converted into the Larimer Arts Center, the library had a children's room, a librarian's office, and a magazine room, as well as the main reading room.
Today the Larimer Arts Center houses an art gallery and the Scarlett-Hill Theater.[5]
Address: 216 Reid St, Palatka
Putnam County Courthouse
Courthouse. The Putnam County Courthouse, built in 1909, is a historic brick courthouse building located at 410 St. Johns Avenue in Palatka, Florida It was designed by architects Robinson and Reidy in the Classical Revival style of architecture. C. D. Smith was the builder. It originally had a central cupola which is now gone. It has been extensively renovated and modernized over the years, with wings added on each side of the front portico.[6]
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
Episcopal church in Palatka, Florida. St. Mark's Episcopal Church is a parish of the Episcopal Church in Palatka, Florida in the United States, in the Episcopal Diocese of Florida. The current rector is the Reverend Robert F Marsh Jr. D. Min.
It is noted for its historic Carpenter Gothic church located at 200 Main Street. On May 9, 1973, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.[7]
Palatka Water Works
Palatka Water Works is a former water pumping facility in Palatka, Florida. Built in 1886, this building provided residents with fresh water for more than 100 years. Today the building houses the Water Works Environmental Education Center. The center is used for educational school programs and community events. Trained volunteers from the St. Johns River Water Management District's Watershed Action Volunteer Program conduct programs for school children and adults to educate them about water resources, focusing on water conservation and protecting the St. Johns River.[8]
Central Academy
School in Palatka, Florida. The Central Academy is a historic site in Palatka, Florida. Established in 1892, Central Academy became the first accredited African-American high school in Florida in 1924. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places November 12, 1998 and is located at 127 Washington Street.
The first Central Academy building was destroyed by fire in 1936. The present building replaced it in 1937. For a time it served as the school district's transportation office. The building, which the district turned over to the Palatka Housing Authority, fell into disrepair. A committee is working to raise money for its restoration.[9]
Downtown Palatka
Downtown Palatka is the central business district of Palatka, Florida. According to the Palatka Community Redevelopment Agency, the district is bounded by Main Street to the north, Laural Street to the south, the St. Johns River to the east, and Eleventh Street to the west, Historical Fort Shannon was located at the east end of downtown on the river, near what is today City Hall. Area transportation is conducted by Ride Solution and connects downtown passengers to other core areas in Putnam County.
Public offices and services located in the downtown area:
- Palatka City Hall
- Palatka Gas Authority
- Palatka Housing Authority
- Palatka Police Department
- Palatka Post Office
- Palatka Union Depot
- Putnam County Chamber of Commerce
- Putnam County Courthouse
- Putnam County School Board
Palatka North Historic District
The Palatka North Historic District is a U.S. historic district located in Palatka, Florida. The district is bounded by the St. Johns River, Bronson, North 1st, North 5th, and Main Streets. It contains 76 historic buildings, including the Bronson-Mulholland House and St. Mark's Episcopal Church.[11]