Elements Of Urbanism: 1940s Jacksonville

[Metro Jacksonville]

Elements Of Urbanism: 1940s Jacksonville



Ever wonder what Jacksonville would look like if downtown were full of buildings, people and retail spilling onto the streets?  A visit to this city gives us a glimpse into the look of downtown vibrancy.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-nov-elements-of-urbanism-1940s-jacksonville

[peestandingup]

Ugh, depressing that it once had so much going on. Reminds me of the casino episode of the Simpsons where it flashes back to a young Abe (grandpa) & Jasper are watching a newsreel downtown about what all Springfield has going for it (Aqua-Car production, gold streets, etc) then flashes forward to present day to an abandoned downtown, bums, etc.

[ChriswUfGator]

Jack Diamond did a wonderful job reshaping our downtown didn't he?

[BridgeTroll]

Looks like both Adams and Forsyth were one way streets back then also.  Possibly Bay street also but tough to tell in the photos... Look closely and you can also see parking meters...

[Overstreet]

More people walked in 1940. More people had to walk in 1940.

[ChriswUfGator]

Looks like both Adams and Forsyth were one way streets back then also.  Possibly Bay street also but tough to tell in the photos... Look closely and you can also see parking meters...

Not accurate.

[KenFSU]

Jacksonville doesn't even look like the same city in these old pictures. That isn't a compliment to modern-day Jax. One thing that strikes me about seeing old pictures of Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach is the people. I don't know how to put it, but the city's residents looked so much livelier up through the 60s. I wonder if the city's population has always been as sleepy and somewhat mindless as they are now, or if this was a more recent development.

[BridgeTroll]

Looks like both Adams and Forsyth were one way streets back then also.  Possibly Bay street also but tough to tell in the photos... Look closely and you can also see parking meters...

Not accurate.

What isnt?  According to the pictures posted Adams and Forsyth were one way.  I certainly see parking meters in some of the pix.  There may be more to the story as Stephen says but my statement was 100% accurate as it relates to the pictures in the article.

[copperfiend]

One thing that strikes me about seeing old pictures of Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach is the people. I don't know how to put it, but the city's residents looked so much livelier up through the 60s.

Or at least the white residents.

[duvaldude08]

One thing that strikes me about seeing old pictures of Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach is the people. I don't know how to put it, but the city's residents looked so much livelier up through the 60s.

Or at least the white residents.

Same with the black, brown and asian.  From 1870 to the end of WW2, it was one of the best cities and times to be black in the US.

You can thank the rise of Ed Ball starting in 1935 for what the city became racially.

You are soo correct! I did hear at one point and time, Jacksonville was majority Africian American. Which is a shocking to hear because its definately not now.

[thelakelander]

The actual "city" still is.  Consolidation with the actual inner ring suburbs just changed the overall demographics.

[Gravity]

I think if we are going to realistically revitalize the city, we have to have a forward looking plan. This includes some more intelligent form of public transport, however i think to look at the "urban core" as some haven for commerce/culture is too limited in its scope.

As some viewers pointed out, more people have cars. The concepts of entertainment and retail have vastly evolved. Until we find an identity of our own, the results will always be the same less than desirable, half thought out solutions.

An urban core of the future that attempts to sidestep southpoint and the southside areas, which would fit easily into similar-sized cities' metro-areas (ones that are working), will mimic the abandon cityscapes of failing cities up north. Like it or not, commercial interests have chosen a new city center. Romantic ideals that ignore reality are doomed to failure. 

Do we want 2020 Jacksonville to be 'revitalized' into the confines of 1940 sized jacksonville, or do we want an expanded, larger urban footprint that reflects the growth everybody says they want?

I think 'revitalization' should be replaced with re-generation... 

[finehoe]

I find it interesting that with the exception of the City Hall and Courthouse, there appears to be virtually no greenery or landscaping in the 1940s city.  That's at least one area where we've improved.

[BridgeTroll]

I think if we are going to realistically revitalize the city, we have to have a forward looking plan. This includes some more intelligent form of public transport, however i think to look at the "urban core" as some haven for commerce/culture is too limited in its scope.

As some viewers pointed out, more people have cars. The concepts of entertainment and retail have vastly evolved. Until we find an identity of our own, the results will always be the same less than desirable, half thought out solutions.

An urban core of the future that attempts to sidestep southpoint and the southside areas, which would fit easily into similar-sized cities' metro-areas (ones that are working), will mimic the abandon cityscapes of failing cities up north. Like it or not, commercial interests have chosen a new city center. Romantic ideals that ignore reality are doomed to failure. 

Do we want 2020 Jacksonville to be 'revitalized' into the confines of 1940 sized jacksonville, or do we want an expanded, larger urban footprint that reflects the growth everybody says they want?

I think 'revitalization' should be replaced with re-generation... 

Great first post Gravity!  Welcome aboard!

[Overstreet]

........ One thing that strikes me about seeing old pictures of Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach is the people. ........., but the city's residents looked so much livelier up through the 60s. ............/quote]

I think the term you are looking for is thinner. I bet the average weight was less.