Empire Point is located along the St. Johns River and was at once time part of the 385-acre Reuben Hogans land grant of 1808. There, along the river is a wine cellar, brick and beautiful. According to author Tim Gilmore, the bricks on the old cellar at the end of the 4615 Empire Point Road culdesac in the 4615 Empire Point Road once belonged to the original Perley Place homestead. On a website the Top Ten Real estate Deals, the story is written that Dr. Thomas F. Pearly purchased the land “overlooking the St. John’s River atop Empire Point”.
Grandson, Ramey standing in front of the Perley cellar at Empire Point
Not long after he built his home there, the Civil War broke out and he was called to duty as a Confederate colonel serving in the medical field. In 1868, after the war, Perley sold the property. At some point the house burned to the ground and all that was left was the tunnel which was connected to a brick vaulted wine cellar. Beneath the ground was found a granite corner stone bringing the history alive. If you visit the area today, to left of the refurbished wine cellar is the cornerstone dated about 1858. The property was purchased in 1993 and rebuilt the home with as much authentic care as possible.
Thomas F. Perley was appointed by Surgeon William A. Hammond to the position of Medical inspector. ( AMEDD Center of History and Heritage, Part V “ From the commencement of the rebellion to the present time”. Act.armey.mil)
According to Cera Web Design the wine cellar is “the only privately owned, pre-Civl War wine cellar in the United States” still standing.
Many contend the road is private but there is a sign at the end of the road honoring the Perley homestead.
See you tomorrow,
Nan
Sources: Top Ten RealEstate Deals, Where Real Estate is Never Boring, 2024, Tim Gilmore, Empire Point: Perley Place and Wine Cellar, March 2, 2016, Cera Web Design, Perley Place, Build on History, Accessed online 4-23-24
Category: History, Military | Comments Off on Dr. Thomas Perley and Part of His Legacy
Serving two tours in the Middle East is no small feat. On a day that the first woman mayor was sworn in at the Jacoby Center in Jacksonville, Florida, I met and talked with another woman trailblazer, Commander, Toshiko Moultrie of Duval County who did just that. She was a part of two tours; Operation Enduring Freedom and the war with Iraq while serving in the Army.
Toshiko Moultrie served in the U.S. Army (Photo: Ramey)
According to the Navy Military site, Operation Enduring Freedom “officially began 7 October 2001 with American and British bombing strikes against al-Qaeda and Taliban forces in Afghanistan. Initially, the Taliban was removed from power and al-Qaeda was seriously crippled, but forces continually dealt with a stubborn Taliban insurgency, infrastructure rebuilding and corruption among the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, and Afghan Border Police.” This campaign was in “response to the September 11, 2002 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people” in New York City.
Not only did Moultrie serve in Afghanistan but she also served in Iraq. Based on information from several sources including Wikipedia, “The United States officially declared its combat role in Iraq over on 31 August 2010, although several thousand troops remained in the country until all American troops were withdrawn from Iraq by December 2011; meanwhile, American troops also engaged in combat with Iraqi insurgents. In June 2014, however, US forces returned to Iraq due to an escalation of instability in the region, and in June 2015, the number of American ground troops totaled 3,550. Between December 2011 and June 2014, Department of Defense officials estimated that there were 200 to 300 personnel based at the US embassy in Baghdad.
Moultrie was in the military from February 27, 1987 until her retirement on January 31, 2023.
Her service has not stopped even yet as she serves at her local American Legion post # 197. The American Legion is known for its service to veterans and their families. It provides assistance with rehabilitation, PTSD concerns, VA services, family relocations, housing and other military related needs. Post # 197 also partners with Blue Cross Blue Shield, The Mayo Clinic and other businesses willing to assist those in the military.
Honors to her and those who have been willing to serve.
From watch towers and double gates to electric fences, and serious surveillance, the Yellow Water Weapons Storage area was real. From 1952 until the closing of the weapons area of the Yellow Water compound in October of 1993, this was a seriously hush-hush place out Normandy boulevard in Duval County, Florida.
The area was so top secret that when weapons were moved along roads, those in cars would be asked to stop, get out of their autos and look the other way, wrote a blogger on a chat link. Yellow Water Storage facilities were decommissioned officially in 1993. Before that time, it was so top-secret that special clearance was necessary to travel on North side of Cecil Field base but no one would confirm or deny as to why.
Yellow Water Bunker with grass and trees covering and 3 foot walls. The doors were stolen.
As of today, the Sheriff’s Department has “No Trespassing” signs along the old entry points. There is a walking and biking trail that can be taken, which along the way, some of the old cement storage buildings can be seen but they have little or no signage to indicate their purposes although the word “warning” appears from time to time. While many barricades are broken in areas, the old fencing is a reminder that visitors not allowed back there-even as late as 2023.
This area is monitored by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Dept.
According to many who have worked onsite, there were nuclear weapons for aircraft carriers, F-18 bombers and P-3 Orion submarine hunters. The military has never confirmed or denied that this is true though. The closest this has been confirmed is by the updates of the repurposing of the area going forward. The epa.gov site says, “The official mission of NAS Cecil Field was to provide services for the operation and maintenance of naval weapons, aircrafts and other units of the operating forces.”
Anyone can go on the walking/riding trail out Normandy Blvd and see this storage area.
Back-in-the-day, Cecil Field was the largest land area for military acreage anywhere near Florida. Within miles, three military bases were ready to have use of the weapons should they be needed: Mayport, Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Cecil Field; all in and around Jacksonville, Florida area.
Per the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, Naval Air Station Cecil Field has been closed now since September 30 1999. The Naval Air Station has been repurposed and called Cecil Field Commerce but the weapons area across the street has been left abandoned although there has been some activity indicating of late as reports that new things are coming.
Twenty-four-seven motion detectors, double door metal enclosures and grass and trees growing atop igloo-shaped cement bunkers once disguised the whereabouts even now covered building from drones, planes or even balloon surveillance.
The inside of one of the many bunkers at the former Yellow Water Nuclear Storage Area
In years past, the compound had available, a firing range which is now under water and overgrown by trees, small bridges connecting one side of small tributaries to others, a huge swimming pool, larger than an Olympic sized pool and exercise equipment for those in the military to stay in shape. It also had its own fencing, water treatment plants, cisterns and large water tanks for fresh water.
Bridge over a small water way.Oversized swimming pool at the former Yellow Water Weapons Storage area.
The compound began in 1952 and had an official end day of October 1, 1993. It was abandoned by 1999 while Cecil Commerce Center began a new life of its own with businesses including air craft and continual use of flight towers. Military installations are still present on base as they continue to use some of the buildings such as Army Aviation Support Facility #1, and the Florida Army National Guard.
Alec P. Vaughan, Jr. who worked as a Civil Service Administrator in the 1970’s had occasion to go across to the weapons area with special clearance for that occasion only. He talked about riding a train while on the North side of Normandy Blvd. Those who know the property, say the tracks have been pulled up but indicate there once was a train system there at a back entrance way.
Former entrance to the Cecil Field Naval Air Base
Over the years, urban explorers have gone into the facilities, trashing them, spray painting walls and floors and leaving messages indicating they have been there. Bats, rodents, and wild life of almost every kind have taken over the once heavily guarded secret compound dedicated to keeping the Nation safe and ready to defend should there be a need during the Cold War.
Online, there are a variety of “Abandoned” videos and stories about the now defunct storage areas. Before seeing any of these current discoveries, Jacksonvillians did not even know the Yellow Water Weapons Area was across the street from the Cecil Field Naval Air Base all of these years.
Yes, I thought these were nuclear buttons. NO! Water tank operation system.
I purchased a set of “Leatherneck” magazines which in the 1983 edition mentions the Yellow Water surveillance, ammunition, bunkers and more so “Leatherneck” outed this unit back in the mid 1980’s.
Just like the Navy, I did not confirm or deny what the authors of this magazine wrote in that piece. I cannot confirm or deny what is written here even if I may have seen it with my own eyes.
See you tomorrow,
Nan
Sources: Appreciation to all who assisted in this research and information, Leatherneck Magazine, Navy.mil, Googe, Call Box( Florida Times Union), AbandonedFl, epa.gov, personal experience.
I can neither confirm or deny the existence of the places discussed in the article.
When the, what was thought and was, a Chinese balloon, drifted across the United States beginning sometime about January 28th, 2023, the trajectory was unclear. By Wednesday of the next week, we thought it could come Jacksonville way. The Weather Authority trajectory indicated it would go across the Carolina’s which was a little above Duval County but who knew?
NORAD trajectory- Ramey Collection
The powers that be decided not to shoot it down over civilian spaces so they waited for it to travel over the Atlantic Ocean. The huge weather-type balloon, they say the size of three busses began being noticed somewhere in Alaska. NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defence Command, Brigadier General Pat Ryder said on Thursday, February 2, 2023, “The United States government has detected and is tracking a high-attitude surveillance balloon that is flying over the continental United States”.
They indicated it was not a “military or physical threat to people on the ground at this time” according to General Glen VanHerck.
According to ABC News, a correspondent said the balloon was the size of “three busses and complete with a technology bay”. It seemed to be without power when looking at it on television newscasts and seemed to drift with the jet stream moving eastward. I thought it was possibly coming our way. Who knew?
The balloon was said to enter the United States airspace in Alaska near the Aleutian Islands news reports posted. As it floated eastward, and the Weather Channel posted a possible trajectory, I thought we may have a balloon in our sky in the coming days.
Chase Doak Photograph of Chinese Balloon
On Wednesday, February 1st, a freelance Montana photographer Chase Doak photographed the balloon and his photo went viral and is now used on Wikipedia. ( That had to be exciting for him). He was a freelance photographer at the right place, at the right time and just did his thing….
Chase Doak Profile-Linked In
Tomorrow I’ll post a basic timeline of the event and no, the balloon did not come across Jacksonville way or to Jacksonville Beach . It ended up in the Atlantic Ocean though, up the way near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was shot down on Saturday, February 4th by a F22 Raptor fighter jet. The United States Military began recovery following that event.
It did not come here but, it was still too close for comfort.
See you tomorrow,
Nan
Sources: ABC News, NOAA, RORAD, The Pentagon, Helen Cooper, Pentagon correspondent, Edward Wong, correspondent, Breitbart, Google, Personal viewing of news reports…
This past month, I took a trip to Marietta which is in West Duval County to see the area where Jacksonville founder Isaiah David Hart, sometime after 1822, had a large plantation. I found the hugely wooded area and imagined all kinds of scenarios of how and where Hart may have lived but I had no idea I’d find a jet fuel tank out there with other yard art.
Jet Fuel Tank- Photo:Ramey
While driving up and down the densely populated trees, I found huge ones of every kind including tall pines, large oaks and even Florida palms. The interesting find that day was that of a jet fuel tank set up in the yard of long time Westside resident Guy Lachapelle. That, was some serious history! How in the world did it get there and from where?
There is really a simple answer. Lachapelle is, as listed on his linked page, an “expert total” in “selective dismantling and demolition since 1979”. Fuel tank removal would be one of the things he might do.
While being inquisitive, I saw Guy in his yard and was able to ask him a few questions and get permission to photograph in the area. Wearing blue jeans, an open collar shirt, and in country fashion, he told me how he was in the business of demolition. He explained that one of his jobs was on Normandy Blvd. some years ago and part of the job was to remove a jet fuel tank. Thinking it was unique, he used his large equipment, brought it home and leaned it artistically in his front yard. Boom! Yard art!
On Normandy Blvd there was the home of Cecil Field Naval Air base which operated from 1941-1999. It is now called Cecil Commerce. Lacapelle did not say he got the tank from the base but it made sense that it certainly could have come from there with the base once serving as “one of four naval air stations to be designated as Master Jet Bases specifically used for the operation of carrier-based jet aircraft”.
Cecil Field Entrance-Unknown Photo credit
His wife came out about the time I was leaving and when I mentioned the yard art, she said looking around with a smile, “Sometimes there is just too much yard art”.
Other items in their yard were dated old rusty trucks and a Seaboard Coastline train car sitting on actual tracks. HA! I wonder what Isaiah Hart would say?
See you tomorrow,
Nan
Sources: Wikipedia, Google Search, Lachapelle, Ramey
Remember: Our Fallen U. S. Veterans. Honor: Those Who Serve. Teach: Your Children The Value of Freedom.
Freedom is not free. Someone paid the ultimate price and others served with a cost as well.
Alec P. Vaughan, Jr. My Dad.
The Wreaths Across America program happened here in Jacksonville and across the United States on December 17, 2022. The mission is stated above and is a reminder that we must love and protect our freedom.
This year, my 9 year old grandson participated in the laying of wreaths and was able to lay a wreath on the grave of my Father, a World War II vet and a cousin. He also laid a wreath on that of Mema .He laid a wreath by Alec P. Vaughan, Jr., my Dad, his great grandfather and a cousin, Richard Torres. He also laid one by his Mema, Emily Sweet Vaughan and her husband, George Sweet.
Ramey Dingman, My Grandson
There were ceremonies across America including at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. near, Washington, DC., The Nation’s Capital and the boys had a ceremony at the Jacksonville Memory Gardens cemetery.
Remember: Our Fallen U. S. Veterans. Honor: Those Who Serve. Teach: Your Children The Value of Freedom. 12-17-22
The Jacksonville National Cemetery has new signs of opening phase 2 in the burial grounds. The cemetery is located way out Lannie Road on the Northside of the city. It is available to bury members of “the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable”, as written on its web page.
Eligibility includes the following:
“A Veteran’s spouse, widow or widower, minor dependent children, and under certain conditions, unmarried adult children with disabilities may also be eligible for burial. Eligible spouses and children may be buried even if they predecease the Veteran.
Members of the reserve components of the armed forces who die while on active duty or who die while on training duty, or were eligible for retired pay, may also be eligible for burial.”
As I rode through the huge space, I noticed so many Christmas decorations left by family members. Most years wreaths are laid on the tombs. Today, being December 15, I’m not sure.(UPDATE- Wreaths Across America was 12-17-22 and my Grandson participated with his Trail Life troop.)
The cemetery is 526- acre’s and is expected to serve Jacksonville veterans for “the next 100 years”.
See you tomorrow,
Sources: Jacksonville National Cemetery, Google Search
My Father was a Sargent in the 7th Armoured Division of the United States Army. His position during WWII was in simple terms, a secretary or typist. It was his job to keep the records of the missions, troops, and yes, even the fallen. It was his letter that sometimes reached the family of a loved one missing in action or having given the ultimate sacrifice.
He and his United States Army troops spent time on the Western front from August of 1944 until May of 1945. After the war ended, he returned to America on the Queen Mary ship and made his way by train to Florida to be close to his love, Geneva Long who was awaiting him in Florida. In October a Florida Times Union article had her engagement photograph of her wearing a necklace he had given her. It was found among her belongings in a trunk we went through as a family. It has special meaning to those left behind.
While my Father was scheduled to return to South Carolina after the war, he was able to write his own dismissal papers and landed himself at Camp Blanding, an hour from my Mother. He and my mother would marry on December 16, 1945 after his discharge ceremony at Camp Blanding.
My Mother got a ride to Camp Blanding the night before the honourable discharge event. She stayed in a dorm prepared for visitors. The following day after the discharge papers were signed, he and my mother hitched a ride on a cattle car to Jacksonville. My Dad said he’ll never forget that long ride to Jacksonville, riding in a cattle car.
Two types of cattle cars. We’re not sure which….
My parents married that year at the Riverside Baptist Church and settled in Jacksonville where they had three children, Kathryn, Patrick and Nan.
My father, Alec P. Vaughan, worked at the naval air station NAS and at Cecil during his career. Daddy began his Army career in South Carolina where he signed up and then spent time in World War II. After the war was over and victory won, he returned to Jacksonville, Florida to marry my Mother, Geneva Long who was already in the city.
NAS – circa-1945,Photo Old Fl
She met him at Camp Blanding where he was honorably discharched. They were married at the Riverside Baptist Church and began their lives together living in the Riverside area and later purchasing a house on Lowell Avenue in Jacksonville.
He would go on and work a civil service job at NAS and Cecil throughout his career. Daddy was hard-working not only at the workplace but he came home to complete various projects to make our lives easier. My Mom was a stay at-home Mom with a tender heart and fun leanings. We never lacked for something to do and were always on the move.
