Thomson Tabby House

Exploring the Thomson Tabby House Ruins: A Glimpse into Fort George Island’s Past

Step into the fascinating history of the Thomson Tabby House, an architectural relic nestled on Fort George Island in Jacksonville, Florida. This remarkable site offers urban explorers a unique glimpse into the past through its timeworn ruins, which tell a story of resilience and intrigue. To truly appreciate the beauty and mystery of this historic location, take advantage of the immersive 360-degree panoramic view available. These images allow you to virtually explore the ruins in exquisite detail, providing a rare perspective that brings the site to life.

For the best experience, don’t miss the opportunity to explore both panoramic images featured in the virtual tour below. Each image captures a different angle of the Thomson Tabby House ruins, offering a comprehensive view of this captivating landmark. Together, they provide a deeper connection to the site’s rich history and a vivid sense of place for urban explorers eager to uncover its secrets.

Click here to view it in fullscreen.

Nestled amidst the lush maritime forests of Fort George Island in Jacksonville, Florida, lie the enigmatic ruins of the Thomson Tabby House. This unfinished structure, with its weathered tabby walls, offers urban explorers a tangible connection to the island’s rich and complex history.

A Brief History of Fort George Island

Fort George Island boasts a human history spanning over 5,000 years. Initially inhabited by the Timucua people, the island was later the site of the Spanish Mission of San Juan del Puerto in the late 16th century. In the 19th century, it became known for plantations, most notably the Kingsley Plantation, owned by Zephaniah Kingsley from 1814 to 1837.

The Origins of the Thomson Tabby House

In 1854, Charles R. Thomson, a planter from South Carolina, purchased Fort George Island. He sent over fifty enslaved laborers to the island to cultivate cotton and began constructing a residence intended for his daughter, Charlotte Lucilla Thomson, and her husband, Charles Heyward Barnwell. Tragically, Thomson passed away in 1855, halting construction and leaving the house unfinished.

Understanding Tabby Construction

The house’s construction material, tabby, is a form of concrete made from lime, sand, water, and crushed oyster shells. This building technique, believed to have African origins, was prevalent in coastal regions of the southeastern United States during the 18th and 19th centuries. The durability of tabby has allowed structures like the Thomson Tabby House to withstand the test of time, even in their incomplete state.

Architectural Features of the Ruins

The ruins measure approximately 45 by 30 feet, with walls standing about eight feet high. The structure comprises two rooms separated by a central fireplace, with remnants of front and back porches. The precise construction and engineering suggest a level of sophistication, indicating that the house was intended to be a prominent residence on the island.

The McGundo Midden Connection

Adjacent to the ruins is the McGundo Midden, a significant archaeological site consisting of ancient oyster shell mounds left by the Timucua people. These middens provided a ready source of oyster shells for tabby construction, linking the island’s prehistoric past with its 19th-century history.

Visiting the Thomson Tabby House Ruins

For urban explorers, the Thomson Tabby House offers a captivating glimpse into a bygone era. The ruins are easily accessible, located along Fort George Road near the intersection with Palmetto Avenue. Visitors can view the site from the roadside, and the surrounding area provides opportunities to explore the island’s natural beauty and other historical landmarks, such as the Kingsley Plantation.

Preservation and Significance

The unfinished state of the Thomson Tabby House serves as a poignant reminder of the island’s layered history, from its indigenous inhabitants to its plantation era. Preservation efforts by the Florida Park Service and the National Park Service ensure that this and other historical sites on Fort George Island remain accessible for future generations to explore and appreciate.

Conclusion

The Thomson Tabby House ruins stand as a testament to the rich tapestry of history that defines Fort George Island. For urban explorers and history enthusiasts alike, this site offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and reflect on the stories etched into the tabby walls and the land itself.

The ruins are open to the public and visible from the street. If you find historic ruins like this interesting, you might like to view the Cruger-dePeyster Plantation Sugar Mill Ruins that are located in New Smyrna Beach, Florida or even the Dummitt Plantation Mill Ruins in Ormand Beach, Florida. You can also check out our top abandoned places in Florida page.

Here is an 8K 360VR video of the ruins.

Equirectangular panoramic view of the Thomson Tabby House ruins on Fort George Island in Jacksonville, Florida.

You can find the ruins here on Google Maps. View more ruins in 360-degree virtual tours on our website.

Welcome to a world of exploration and intrigue at Abandoned in 360, where adventure awaits with our exclusive membership options. Dive into the mysteries of forgotten places with our Gold Membership, offering access to GPS coordinates to thousands of abandoned locations worldwide. For those seeking a deeper immersion, our Platinum Membership goes beyond the map, providing members with exclusive photos and captivating 3D virtual walkthroughs of these remarkable sites. Discover hidden histories and untold stories as we continually expand our map with new locations each month. Embark on your journey today and uncover the secrets of the past like never before. Join us and start exploring with Abandoned in 360.

Equipment used to capture the 360-degree panoramic images:

• Canon DSLR camera
• Canon 8-15mm fisheye
• Manfrotto tripod
• Custom rotating tripod head

Do you have 360-degree panoramic images captured in an abandoned location? Send your images to Abandonedin360@gmail.com. If you choose to go out and do some urban exploring in your town, here are some safety tips before you head out on your Urbex adventure. If you want to start shooting 360-degree panoramic images, you might want to look onto one-click 360-degree action cameras.

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