When did Blount island in Florida get its name?

Answer 1

50 years ago this week

09/07/2009

Mahon asks Maness to rule magazines obscene, how Blount Island got its name

Have you ever wondered what it was like in Jacksonville 50 years ago? It may have been a different era of history, culture and politics, but there are often parallels between the kind of stories that made headlines then and today. As interesting as the similarities may be, so are the differences. These are some of the top stories from the week of Sept. 7-13, 1959. The items were compiled from the Jacksonville Public Library's periodical archives by Staff Writer Max Marbut. (I only listed the ONE we were interested in.)

• The Duval County Commission paid tribute to County Attorney J. Henry Blount for his service to the county and voted unanimously to name the site of the county's proposed port and industrial area after him.

The name of "J. Henry Blount Island" was given to the land in the St. Johns River formerly known as "Goat Island." The 1,500-acre property was deeded to the county by the state in May, 1958.

Noting the difficulties in acquiring the land, the resolution stated, "As a result of the acquisition of these islands after a long, discouraging, but victorious, battle Duval County today stands on the threshold of unlimited horizons for port and industrial development."

Blount had been County Attorney for more than 20 years and was cited for his "outstanding ability, integrity and keen perception of justice" in guiding the legal affairs of the county.