The French Docks were one of the first steamboat landings in the upper St. Johns River that was built in the same vicinity as the Thursby House which is today in Blue Springs State Park. The docks are at least over a century old as the road they sit at the end of was named in honor of Seth and Harriet French. At the time near by was a Carpenter Grove in the 1890s. There was also a cemetery that was Orange Cities first before the town cemetery was established. At the time Mr. Jocelyn and two others were buried here only to be dug up and reburied in Hollywood Cemetery. So near the docks is a lot of history. 

Dr. Seth French was a union army surgeon during the Civil War and moved to Sanford in the early 1870s. Some parts during the summer season he spent sometime in Eau Claire Wisconsin where he was involved with retail pharmaceutical business with his brother which was called the Farr, French, and Co. Later on his wife and Harriet belonged to a group of seven to form there own company called the Wisconsin Company. They purchased 3,200 acres in 1875 to 1877. French then divided that land into 5 acre lots. They had a house built and by the spring of 1876 it was complete and his family moved in. He then had oaks planted which the road leading to the Docks seems to contain quite a few Oaks. Before the house was built and it was made into a road the path to the French docks was simply a sandy trail through a pine forest. French became the first Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration in 1879 promoting the rapid settlement of state lands in the Blue Springs area. 

Today the docks are still widely used by others who see off there boats which often others will go fishing on the St. Johns River or visit Hontoon Island which is across from them with only water and alligators infesting the island. This area is also one of the widest sections of the River so perhaps that is why the docks were built here. 

But as far as this investigation goes there is more to this area then docks alone. Many vehicles cannot even penetrate the sandy trail leading to them as the sand is very deep so most cars get stuck here. The road leading to them is very long and very dark as the trees almost shade out any light at all. So basically this area they were built in is very secluded. There are not houses nearby just swamps, woods, tall trees and a lot of wild life from our observations. 

There is now today a concrete boat ramp but years ago there were two wooden docks that extended farther out into the water. Today the docks perhaps are a common party spot. But there is also rumors over the years that many dead bodies have been found back here. Such as the murder that took place last month. It is apparent that hostile individuals use this area for its seclusion. Perhaps that is why there is such a horrible feeling back there its the fact you can feel some horrifying things happened here. Proof of this perhaps would be the fact there is a gravestone and two crosses up on the hill near the docks of a teenage boy who perished. It just makes you sad because this is not a nice area despite its natural feeling there is a feel of death surrounding this place. I was told about the docks from someone and they told me there is bad feelings back here as well as murders that took place here so perhaps that is where the Hauntings are derived from. But none the less bad things happen back here and its our job to find the mysteries to some of them.

But lets talk about the dark woodsy road leading up to them. Well lets see there are hills extending up some sides of the road, heavy underbrush and woods. Not far away is a swamp for quite some ways as we heard gators and water thrashing around. There are no street lights or anything back here its totally pitch black. But since its near the state park which has a lot of native American history it is apparent that this area has some legends of its own and I am sure stories. The question though remains is does the Florida Skunk Ape roam the road and woods surrounding this road and docks? Well after experiencing a very fowl smell following us, branches breaking, lots of movement, water thrashing as ducks became scared, and feeling watched we have concluded that something more strange then murders occur here at night. So take a walk with us to the French Docks where history, lore and horrors all come together.

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AngelOfThyNight-Rick