Early days in Duval consisted of either water or equestrian transportation. By the late 1920's some roads
were brick with no mortar to hold them together. Water
transportation consisted of flatbottom keel boats, row boats,
sailboats, paddle and steamboats.
Water travel has been a mainstay of the American way of life for many
generations. Florida has many rivers and lakes. Lake Co.
for instance
has 1200 named lakes. Not only is travel a large consumer of our
time but also the fishing and pleasure boating that is abundant.
Commerce has benefitted from our waters. Many logs were
sent down the various rivers to saw mills to become our
homes.
Animals would not have survived without the water. As many
species that inhabit the water come to it for drinking, bathing and
food. Where would any of humanity be without water.
There were several shipping lines that plied their trade up and down
the rivers. The Hart Line was on such. They hauled
passengers along the St. John's and Ocklawaha Rivers from one town to
the next. Forts sprang up along the river banks to fortify the
people who were trying to make the area their home. From this
start, towns began to appear on the scene. The more people the
more commerce was needed.
The rail system was at a time when people were wanting to come to Florida. It helped populate the state.