Where Gumbo Was (#305)
Gumbo was at the Jacksonvillle Arboretum & Gardens, a 120-acre urban nature area with hiking trails for the public. Congratulations goes to George G for finding him!
This area was used as a strip mine from 1941 to 1961 by the Humphries Gold Mining Company. They harvested minerals that were required to produce titanium. After the mining ended, it became urban wild and an unofficial dump.
The city of Jacksonville purchased the property as a buffer to a wastewater treatment facility they built in the 1970s. The city left the former mine alone for 30 years. During that time, thirteen separate ecosystems formed and nature lovers started to take notice.
In 2004, non-profit Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens was formed and it starting leasing the land from the city in 2006 after getting a $250,000 grant to pave parking. In 2008, the Arboretum opened to the public.
It really is unique because it has small hills in a pretty flat city. It shows how nature, with a little help, takes back an area and even changes features that were man-made. It’s a great place to hike in the city.
