J.C. Penney Memorial Scenic Highway
Byway Length: 3 Miles
Designated: April 30, 2010
FDOT District: 2
Overview
The S.R.16 corridor, gateway to the Town of Penney Farms, traverses a community that is more than a century old and offers a flashback to “small town” America in the midst of urban development that surrounds it. The J.C. Penney Memorial Scenic Highway offers visitors an experience not found elsewhere in Florida. Much of this 3-mile corridor passes through a beautiful oak and magnolia canopy, most of which dates back to the early 1900s.
Named the Town of Penney Farms in the 1920s, it has within its bounds two distinctive historically significant communities – Penney Retirement Community, part of the James Cash Penney legacy including what is today one of the most recognized retail store names in America. This nationally known retailer became involved in Florida’s First Coast, where he established a retirement community initially known as Memorial Home, in memory of his parents. The New Hope Community is a vibrant part of the Town of Penney Farms with a history that dates back to 1923 when J.C. Penney experimented with farming different types of crops. At that time, the New Hope community was known as the “The Colored Quarter” and housed African American families called “sharecroppers”. Out of these challenging conditions rose up a community of people whose faith and worship to God remains an integral part of their fiber.
The significance of the S.R.16 scenic corridor, and the story it presents, transcends the typical driving experience. Its unique history, culture, and natural resources are well defined and offer the visitor a compelling experience found nowhere else in Florida.
Byway Website: jcpenneyscenichighway.org
Byway Video: youtube.com/watch?v=HVWE9u8rTZA
Byway Map: Downloadable PDF Map
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J.C. Penney Memorial Scenic Map
J.C. Penney Memorial Scenic Highway
Byway Resources
Byway Website: jcpenneyscenichighway.org
Byway Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cathieparrott
2023 Florida Channel Video: Florida Scenic Highways & Byways – J.C. Penney Memorial Scenic Highway
General Directions
The Historic Byway is located in the northeast corner of Florida, southwest of Jacksonville. The roadway segment is located between the towns of Green Cove Springs and Starke. It can be accessed from US 301 from the west and US 17 from the east.
Associated Resources
These are specific resources for this byway. See Associated Florida Resources for connections to organizations affecting all byways in Florida.
Town of Penney Farms: Town of Penney Farms
Penney Farms Historical Society: Historical Society of Penney Farms
Visit Florida:
www.visitflorida.com/en-us/articles/16/scenic-florida-drives-/…
Penney Retirement Community:
penneyretirementcommunity.org/
Florida Memory:
floridamemory.com/blog/2015/02/02/j-c-penney-had-a-farm/
