Green Cove Springs & Clay County Living

Settled in 1816 and incorporated in 1874, Green Cove Springs sits along the western bank of the St. Johns River and serves as the county seat of Clay County, home to about 9,800 residents.

Green Cove Springs earned its name from a natural mineral spring along the St. Johns River that drew 19th century tourists seeking its believed therapeutic benefits, shaping the city's Victorian era downtown.

In 1984, Green Cove Springs annexed a former naval air station, transforming it into the Clay County Port and Reynolds Industrial Park, now home to Reynolds Airpark, a private airfield with a single runway.

Built in 1889 and used until 1973, the Clay County Historic Courthouse in downtown Green Cove Springs is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and anchors the city's Historic Triangle.

Housed in the 1890 Courthouse Annex, the Clay County Historical Museum features exhibits like a country kitchen, a vintage caboose, and a fully equipped railroad transfer station, run entirely by volunteers.

Just north of downtown Green Cove Springs, Camp Chowenwaw Park sits on scenic Black Creek, a favorite local spot for hiking and enjoying Clay County's natural surroundings.

While Orange Park offers a quick 30 minute commute into downtown Jacksonville with a mall and popular restaurants, Green Cove Springs leans into its historic downtown and slower, small city character as the county seat.

Green Cove Springs is the birthplace of Charles E. Merrill, a founder of Merrill Lynch, one of many small but notable pieces of history tied to this Clay County city.