Fruit Cove, Florida 2024

Fruit Cove, Florida, is an unincorporated community located in St. Johns County. Fruit Cove is located approximately 20 miles southeast of downtown Jacksonville and 35 miles northwest of St. Augustine, Florida's oldest city. Fruit Cove's population as of the 2000 census was 29,423.

Fruit Cove was once home to the Timucua people, whose village in the area was known as Tacoziche. In 1562, the French established a fort and a colonial outpost some miles inland from the present site of Fruit Cove, known as Fort Caroline, now a part of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Fruit Cove was a center of agriculture, with many orange groves, strawberry fields, and other fruit and vegetable production. In the early 21st century, it is an affluent residential community, with many upper-income housing developments and country clubs.

Most of Fruit Cove's early settlers were of English, Scottish, and Irish ancestry. These were later supplemented by immigrants from Italy, Germany and Eastern Europe between 1880 and 1930.

Fruit Cove has a public library and a post office. ZIP code 32259 is located in Fruit Cove and serves much of the area. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Fruit Cove and surrounding areas experienced significant growth, primarily due to suburbanization.

Some of the events celebrated in Fruit Cove include the following:

* Art in the Park: An annual event for art lovers that takes place in the Fall.

* Howl at the Moon: A Nighttime 5K run/walk celebrated each Halloween.

* July 4th Celebration: A community parade, live music, food, and fireworks.

* Summer Beach Blast: A day of fun in the sun.

* Annual Egg Hunt: The annual event is celebrated each year in March.

Some of the local attractions in Fruit Cove include the following:

* Fruit Cove Park, a popular spot for kids to play soccer.

* Fruit Cove Foundation Academy, a popular school choice in the area.

* St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church, a classic Fruit Cove church.

* Julington Creek Park, an area attraction with excellent boat ramps and fishing areas.

* The Julington Creek Culpture Garden.

* Fruit Cove Shopping Center, a small strip mall in the area.

Fruit Cove is mostly known for its rural charm. Until the late 20th century, it was populated mainly by agricultural workers. Fruit Cove used to host a strawberry festival each year.

There are two schools in Fruit Cove: Fruit Cove Middle School and Fruit Cove Elementary School.