Faver ~ Dykes State Park
On July 1st the Friends of Faver-Dykes merged their memberships with the Friends of Washington Oaks. Your Board voted unanimously in January to accept their memberships if and when they decided to dissolve their corporation. Within the Florida Park System, the two Parks are known as the "Washington Oaks Administration" and our CSO agreement is with the Washington Oaks Administration.
This newly merged organization will provide Friends admission to both Parks and everyone will be able to enjoy the benefits of both. Friends of Washington Oaks will now have access to camping, a boat launch, canoe and kayak rentals, new hiking trails, saltwater and fresh water fishing and new volunteer opportunities. The Friends generate income at Faver-Dykes from firewood, ice, merchandise and donations. Their income will be tracked and Park Improvements for Faver-Dykes will be paid for from those funds. We will also oversee the Faver-Dykes Endowment Fund for the benefit of Faver-Dykes State Park.
I am excited about the opportunities this merger provides for all members and I hope you will plan a visit in the near future to Faver-Dykes State Park off US 1 North, at the I-95 exit.
Bob Bouck, President
The Faver~Dykes Story
I know the Friends of Washington Oaks love their history because we have done so much here at the park to emphasize the historical significance of the Owen D. Young era, so lets take a boat trip across the Intra Coastal Waterway into the past and examine what was happening on the other side of the river in the 1800's, 1900's, and 1,000 years ago.
1000 years ago the land now know as Faver-Dykes State Park was a Native American settlement. There have been numerous archaeological digs done throughout the park to better understand the use of the land by the natives. It is documented that Natives actually lived on the property. There are mounds and middens on site as well signifying the high use of Native American people's of that land The Natives that lived on the property were the Timucua. Each year for Archaeology Month Ranger Joe Woodbury provides the public with an interesting program on the culture of the Timucua tribe
Now paddling into the future. In the mid 1700's Hepworth Carter took over 1,800 acres of land. Carter grew corn and cotton on his plantation, and built a coquina house at Hemming's point. Hemming's point which is an overlook of Pellicer Flats, which is now accessible by the new Hiram- Faver Trail a 3 mile Interpretive Trail recently installed at the park. Interestingly enough another Carter runs the land now, our Park Manager Doug Carter. On the opposite side of the creek there was the Pellicer Plantation, from which the creek is named. Joseph Hernandez (early 1800s) owned land surrounding Pellicer Creek, and he also owned land at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park This even further unites the two parks.
Now let's go further to the mid 1900's, when Hiram Faver owned 752 acres along Pellicer Creek. Hiram Faver purchased this land because it was a beloved childhood vacation spot. His parents Florida Ellen Dykes and Alexandar Hall Faver (from which the park is named) often visited Pellicer Creek with the family, which included Hiram his brothers and sisters for hunting and fishing.
Hiram's mother Florida Dykes loved to fish and enjoyed the family trips to
Pellicer Creek. In the early 1900's Pellicer Creek was a major fishing destination and it still is today.
Hiram Faver was Clerk of the Circuit Court of St. Johns County from 1937-1961 and was a true ambassador for the
environment. He loved enjoying the beauty of the land and wanted to preserve
the land for future generations to enjoy. In 1950 he decided to donate his parcel of the land to the state,
which is now known as Faver-Dykes State Park and is recognized as an unhurried place for visitors to enjoy
the recreation and the peaceful pleasures of Florida.
This how the State of Florida has come to own this beautiful piece of property. We have expanded the original 752 acres to the over 6,000 acres that we manage today. This park is a beautiful place for you to re-create yourself by sitting on the banks of the creeks by watching the birds, fishing, or picnicking with your loved ones.
~ Melissa Kafel~