Established by the Florida Park Service in the 1970s, the island got its name from William Hunton, the original owner of the land in the 1860s. Over time the island’s name was changed to Hontoon.
Evidence shows that inhabitants have been living along the St. Johns River for over 12,000 years. Shell mounds and other artifacts found on Hontoon Island prove that many Native Americans called this place home.
In the 1500s, Spanish Conquistadors founded the city of St. Augustine, and they built a series of missions throughout North Florida. One of those missions is said to have existed here on the island.
After the Second Seminole War, settlers formed homesteads along the St. Johns River. Their survival depended on fishing and hunting wild game, along with raising cattle and growing crops such as citrus, sugar cane, corn, cotton and sweet potatoes.
A former soldier named Hunton acquired the property and established a homestead on the island.