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The Villager, Winter (2024)

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The Villager, Summer (2024)

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Mayport Stories

A Mayport Moment

The King House holds many secrets as witness to Mayport Village’s over the decades since it was built sometime in the mid 1800’s.

The King HouseSituated on Ocean Street directly across from the Ocearch Research Center, the two story southern gothic home with wrap around porches was built pre civil war by a river pilot, Captain William Arnau. It destroyed by fire in 1881 and reconstructed in the early 1900’s by Captain William Joseph King after he and Arnau’s daughter Clara married and began living there.

It was a constant through decades as Mayport’s main street sprouted hotels, as many as four, to accommodate beachgoers arriving by a Flagler built railroad, as saw mills flourished from the abundant timber nearby, and as fishermen and river pilots plied their trade on the St. John’s River and Atlantic Ocean. Through the years it has been more than just a home to one of Mayport Village’s most esteemed families. It once housed Roman Catholic services and sailors. It may have been the site of a murder by a jealous lover. It may be haunted.

The house is long reputed to have ghostly occurrences in with some King family members embellishing these rumors of the supernatural. In 1968, parapsychology researchers from Duke University examined the house and investigated recuring claims of ghostly sightings of a butler, a bride and a kitchen maid, among others. Their report concluded there was some "presence" within the house.

The King HouseIn the late 1970’s the pre-Civil War portion of the house was partially demolished in a failed attempt to convert the house into a restaurant. The home today is half the size it was originally built but the main part of Captain King's residence still remains, with its legacy of poltergeists, ghost stories, and architectural beauty.

William Joseph King came to Mayport from Delaware as a cook on a schooner in 1878. After serving an apprenticeship as a river pilot under Captain Arnaut, King joined the ranks as one in 1882. In 1913, Captain King decided to enlarge his residence into a more elaborate manor. He hired a builder from Fort George, who daily rowed across the St. Johns River to work on the two-story addition, which soon dwarfed by a two-tier veranda with turned posts, brackets, and a filigreed balustrade, which encircles the house on three sides.

At one time it was painted all white in keeping with the rest of the buildings in Mayport. Upon Captain King's death in 1940, his son John inherited it and lived there till 1977.

It is now owned by a non- profit LLC and in part houses a cat rescue program. The home is also occupied by private tenants and is not open to the public but its historic exterior is a Mayport Village landmark.

> Learn More About The King House

Upcoming Events

The Mayport Waterfront Partnership meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 8:00 AM, except during the last month of each quarter when meetings occur at 7:00 PM. These gatherings take place at the William “Bill” Gulliford Community Center, situated at 4875 Ocean Street, Jacksonville, FL 32233. The meetings are open to the public.

→ Our Community Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup takes place on the fourth Saturday of each month from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, excluding holiday weekends. The event begins at the William "Bill" Gulliford Community Center, located at 4875 Ocean St., Jacksonville, FL 32233. Volunteers always welcome to join us.

Scenic Visions 2025: Spotlight on Mayport Village

Scenic Jacksonville is pleased to continue the popular Scenic Visions series into 2025. This year, we are partnering with Mayport Waterfront Partnership, and our program will highlight the uniqueness of Mayport Village, located at the mouth of the St. Johns River. The program is a three-part series to shine the spotlight on historic Mayport’s working waterfront, history, cultural gems, eco-tourism and opportunities for growth and revitalization.

The program on Mayport follows the successful “Spotlight on Arlington” held in Spring 2024, which featured a boat tour, trolley tour, and panel discussion at Jacksonville University.

Sponsorships are available. Please contact Nancy Powell at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Saturday, October 4, 2025
9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
A Guided Trolley Tour of Mayport Village

Join us for a guided trolley tour of Mayport Village as we take you along the historic working waterfront and village to see the Coast Guard cutter, Shrimp boats, the historic King house, the Lighthouse and more.

Saturday, October 25, 2025
9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
OCEARCH and Ferry Ride

Join us for a special tour of the OCEARCH boat with presentation by Chris Fischer, executive director. Chris and his team have been tracking sharks, and the organization is making plans for its new Headquarters in Mayport. Following OCEARCH, guests will ride the Ferry back and forth and hear about the Timucuan preserve and eco-tourism.

Wednesday, November 12, 2025
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion at the Guilliford Center

Join us for a panel discussion on the future of Mayport, with leaders from Mayport Waterfront Partnership, the Jacksonville Historical Society, OCEARCH and others. Our goal is to provide a meaningful interactive discussion to spur civic action and engagement on realizing Mayport’s significant potential.


“The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.”

Vincent Van Gogh

Mayport Waterfront Partnership

Mayport Waterfront Partnership
Registered 501(c)(3) Organization
ID# 59-3524226

Mayport Waterfront Partnership   Mayport Waterfront Partnership    youtube1

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