Neighborhood in Jacksonville · Duval County
San Marco
San Marco’s square and surrounding residential streets lie south of Downtown Jacksonville.
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San Marco’s commercial streets near Balis Park — October 2020
San Marco’s commercial streets near Balis Park — October 2020
Creator: PicoOrdinalo
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Changes: Resized and converted to WebP; may be cropped for display.
A Venetian-inspired square, South Jacksonville history and Preservation Hall
About San Marco
San Marco’s square and surrounding residential streets lie south of Downtown Jacksonville. Shops and dining businesses gather around Balis Park, within an area shaped by the former South Jacksonville municipality and the 1920s San Marco subdivision. Preservation Hall at Fletcher Park preserves an older church building now used for community and private events.
From South Jacksonville to a 1920s subdivision
The San Marco area has a history that predates the subdivision bearing its name. The San Marco Preservation Society describes the Southbank as a ferry landing and shipyard area that sheltered families displaced by Jacksonville’s 1901 fire.
The river bridge opened in 1921, followed by development of Telfair Stockton’s San Marco subdivision and business center in the 1920s. Its street names and commercial square drew inspiration from Venice’s Piazza San Marco; the former South Jacksonville municipality became part of Jacksonville in 1932.
Balis Park at the center of the square
Balis Park is at 1999 San Marco Boulevard, within San Marco Square’s shopping and dining district. The city’s park history traces the site from a service station to a public park after the city bought the property in 1984.
The park was dedicated in January 1988, funded by Abla Balis in memory of her husband Sheffield. The photograph shows nearby commercial streets in October 2020.
An 1888 church moved to Fletcher Park
San Marco Preservation Hall began as St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in 1888. It was moved to Fletcher Park on Atlantic Boulevard and renovated in 1994, retaining a wood interior of dark pine beaded board and pine flooring.
The preservation society now operates the hall as an event venue, with adjacent Stockton Cottage supporting events. Guided tours are arranged by appointment through the society.
Check these on a visit
Try these in person before you commit to an address in San Marco.
- Begin at San Marco Square and Balis Park to see the commercial center.
- Explore the surrounding streets with the preservation society’s account of the original subdivision in mind.
- Arrange a Preservation Hall tour with the society if you want to see its wood interior.
Neighborhoods and districts near San Marco
The closest neighborhoods and districts in Jacksonville, measured center to center.
Sources & data notesReferences, reporting periods, and how to use this information
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- Neighborhood location, square, shops and diningVisit Jacksonville — San MarcoSource checked
- South Jacksonville, 1921 bridge, Stockton subdivision and Venetian inspirationSan Marco Preservation Society — Neighborhood historySource checked
- Park in the square, 1925 subdivision, former service station and 1988 dedicationCity of Jacksonville — Balis ParkSource checked
- 1888 church, 1994 move to Fletcher Park, wood interior and current event useSan Marco Preservation Society — Preservation HallSource checked
Photo credits
- San Marco’s commercial streets near Balis Park — October 2020Image credits and license
San Marco’s commercial streets near Balis Park — October 2020
Creator: PicoOrdinalo
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Changes: Resized and converted to WebP; may be cropped for display.