WEST TOCOI
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WEST TOCOI |
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NAME: West Tocoi COUNTY: Clay ROADS: 2WD GRID: 2 CLIMATE: Fine BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime |
COMMENTS:
Hwy 209 North of Bostwick (North of Palatka). This route skirts the west side of the St. Johns River. REMAINS: Cracker Houses here and there |
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In the 1800's the railroad followed the east side of the St. Johns River and unloaded passengers and goods at the hamlet of East Tocoi. From there a ferry carried the people and freight acrross the river to West Tocoi where the Jacksonville, Tampa and Key west Railroad had a terminal. Although the town of West Tocoi is still shown on modern maps, there is nothing left but a few abandoned houses here and there. You will find a sharp turn on Hwy 209 and that is the area where the depot was. Be careful the northern part of 209 is paved but the southern section is dirt however, drivable. Submitted by: Mike Woodfin UPDATE: Your information about West Tocoi is incorrect. Until 1892 there was no railroad from Jacksonville south on the East side of the Saint Johns River. West Tocoi was a terminal of the Tampa/Jacksonville RR at which passengers bound for Saint Augustine departed to catch a ferry to Tocoi (on the east bank of the Saint Johns River, but never called East Tocoi). From Tocoi the "St Johns Railroad" ran to St. Augustine. About 1892 Mr. Flagler completed the railroad south from Jacksoville through Saint Augustine (Florida East Coast RR). Tocoi from 1870 to 1892 was the principal route from Jacksonville to Saint Augustine for people and freight. Some came from Jacksonvile by boat and landed at Tocoi. Some came by the Tampa/Jacksonville RR and ferry from West Tocoi. The Florida East coast railroad from Jacksonville south caused the decline of the communities of West Tocoi and Tocoi. The St. Johns RR from Tocoi to Saint Augustine was closed down in by 1895. The only remnant of old Tocoi stll standing are several pilings about 1/4 mile out in the St. Johns river. D. W. Parker Tocoi, Florida |
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