In 1564, French Huguenots, attempting to avoid persecution from the Catholic Church, set sail for North America and landed in what is now Jacksonville, near the opening of the St. John’s River. They established trade with the native Timucuan Indians and built a fort, planning to maintain a permanent home in North America. But this colony only lasted until the following year, when Spanish forces coming up from the recently established town of St. Augustine attacked the French, forcing them to flee north and destroying their fort and homes. The original…
