Why Is “Bartram” Everywhere in Northeast Florida? Who is this Bartram?

If you live in St. Johns County or Northeast Florida, you've probably seen the name Bartram everywhere: Bartram Trail, Bartram Park, Bartram Springs, Bartram Plantation, and the William Bartram Scenic and Historic Highway. But who was William Bartram—and why is his name so deeply connected to this part of Florida? In 1774, American naturalist, artist and writer William Bartram traveled the St. Johns River, documenting the landscape, wildlife, Native communities and settlements of what is now Northeast Florida. He traveled by boat through a Florida that existed long before modern highways, subdivisions, tourism and cities. In this episode, we follow Bartram's journey along the St. Johns River, including his remarkable description of the Native community at what is now Palatka. We also look at how Bartram's writings helped shape America's and Europe's romantic image of Florida—a place of extraordinary natural beauty, abundant wildlife, springs, rivers and wilderness—and how dramatically that Florida differs from the Florida we know today. If you've ever wondered why the name Bartram is everywhere in Northeast Florida, this is the story behind it. 📍 St. Johns County • St. Augustine • St. Johns River • Palatka • Northeast Florida #WilliamBartram #StAugustine #NortheastFlorida #StJohnsCounty #FloridaHistory #StJohnsRiver #BartramTrail