Major Jacksonville Photo Thread...RAM, JIA, Panoramas, Food, and More!

[Tacachale]

I'm just looking on my phone now, but I'd probably put the first one at or around 1948, when they did the big expansion to the stadium. I'll take a closer look when I'm at my computer.

[Ocklawaha]

Ken the first appears to be 1940, my first impression was to agree with Tacachale, but the streets to the south are missing and the original was between Adams and Monroe Street's just west of Haines Street which was rather diagonal. Between the early stadium and Bridier Street one block west was the Fairfield Playground (note the ball field). The original stadium ate a piece of Haines Street when the east grandstands were built. A pond was located off the end of (a missing block) Haines Street just north of Monroe. J.W.Townsend, W.K. Jackson, Barnett National, Seaboard Air Line Railroad, J.C. Turner and other industrial properties were located between Adams and the St. Johns River.  All of this changed radically during the war.

If it is 1949, the vast expanse of vacant land to the left and background would be the now empty shipyards that built 100 war ships in WWII.

Tacachale, you've got photo 2 but I believe it's also in the 1940's.

East Adams would run under the south grandstand today, and East Monroe would go through the 50 yard line. Haines Street would take out the northeast quarter of the modern stadium.

[Ocklawaha]

Wow, looking for information on the old shipyards downtown (to position the stadium), I stumbled across this must have video! As you watch this remember Jacksonville was a HUGE player in the inactive reserve fleet with the fleet base in Green Cove Springs, and the Active fleet base at Mayport. Both bases were supported by many civilian contractors downtown.

http://www.youtube.com/v/1P_RdikDj1A?version=3&hl=en_US

[KenFSU]

Thanks so much Ock, I really appreciate it.

FANTASTIC video too, great find!