(Source of image: Florida Photographic Collection, Florida State Archives)

"Satan Rises from Sand Dunes!," a tabloid would scream.  (Can't you make out his head, shoulders, and one of his arms?)  Other viewers might claim that this old Atlantic Beach photo depicts a flying saucer visit during the days of our great grandparents. 

Well, without reaching for fanciful explanations, just what were these dark smudges?  Were they simply a case of careless fingerprints?  Perhaps sand whipped up by ocean breezes?  Maybe smoke from a nearby fire that kept biting insects at bay?  Or was there some other mundane explanation? 

Captured by Elias Howard Sellards, the image dates from May 28, 1910.  Its purpose was to show recently created sand dunes near Mayport.

Since inquiring minds want to know, though, let's get back to UFOs!  The First Coast has witnessed its fair share.  On June 14, 1950, for example, the Times-Union reported that citizens at the Duval County Courthouse had seen a flying saucer-type object in the sky.  The next day, though, the paper explained how a weather balloon was behind the sightings.  According to the Times-Union on January 7, 1969, the Westside had been "blacked out" by an unidentified flying cloud.  On February 3 of that year, the Jacksonville Journal told about local clouds that "rattle" and "dissipate."  From September 28 through 30 and on October 1, 1973, the Journal trumpeted that the UFOs had been spotted from Jax to Brunswick. 

Apparently, the extraterrestrials couldn't stay away.  On December 15 & 16, 1975, the Times-Union reported that the Air Force and St. Johns County deputies were probing UFO claims.  The paper later noted, on March 6, 1978, that an unidentified flying object had been seen near Hastings, St. Johns County, as well as over several other counties.  A space alien itself was supposed to have been witnessed by a local man during this time.  The Times-Union described this purported incident in its December 18, 1976 issue. 

Keep watching the skies!

Contact the Website Manager

           -- Suggestions?  Comments?  Broken links?  Need research assistance?

  THANK YOU...  

       FOR VISITING THE JACKSONVILLE STORY,

        YOUR TIME MACHINE TO THE PAST