Treaty Oak & Dixieland Park

Coolyfett · January 24, 2008, 12:00:08 AM

I just left Treaty Oak near the Riverplace Skyway Station. Does anyone know much about this tree and the amusement park that was built around it??

downtownparks · January 24, 2008, 08:38:14 AM

Dixieland park!

The Main St Ferry used to drop people off there. There was a movie studio built on the Dixieland Grounds, and there were exhibition baseball games there from time to time. I know Babe Ruth played in a couple.

Coolyfett · January 24, 2008, 09:32:26 AM

Quote from: downtownparks on January 24, 2008, 08:38:14 AM
Dixieland park!

The Main St Ferry used to drop people off there. There was a movie studio built on the Dixieland Grounds, and there were exhibition baseball games there from time to time. I know Babe Ruth played in a couple.

Interesting....I was told it was a pretty big park. I can't really tell what the exact perimeter of Dixieland Park was. I can find any pics or maps of the actually area.

jandar · January 24, 2008, 10:25:49 AM

Here are some links:
http://www.cardcow.com/57736/dixieland-park-jacksonville-us-state-town-views-florida-jacksonville/

http://www.jaxhistory.com/journal10.html

Kind of hard to transpose from the images, but worth a shot.

Also check through:
http://www.jaxhistory.com/Jacksonville%20Story/Picture%20of%20Dixieland%20Park.htm

Ocklawaha · January 24, 2008, 11:18:18 AM

Dixieland was known as a "Trolley Park" even though the trolley went on the Northbank then passengers crossed by ferry. "ELECTRIC PARKS" were all the vogue in that time, with as much light, and color as possible. In our case Dixieland was close to a Worlds Fair, or American Tropics theme park. It had lots of buildings dedicated to things like Produce of the Tropics, Florida Industry, Modern Transport, etc... It really was quite the hybrid between modern theme park/worlds fair/greater Jacksonville fair/carnival and boardwalk. Something of interest to everyone. It even had it's own historic steam powered railroad and train. 12" gauge as I recall.

The South Jacksonville Municipal Railways were completed after the park closed. It didn't close due to lack of support or interest, either. It was completely trashed in a freak almost military surgical strike...from God! A rare hail storm about 1911-12 hit and huge hail stones of softball size rained down on Dixieland Park. By the time the storm passed, there was nothing left but the memories...

Imagine if the City would reconstruct it along Hogans Creek, The Metropolitan Park or old JEA generator site? How about Jacksonville Beach? How popular would THAT be?

Ocklawaha

thelakelander · January 24, 2008, 12:03:08 PM

Metropolitan Park/JEA site? Without connectivity, about as popular and long lasting as the Sub-Tropical Exposition or the Main Street Pocket Park.

I don't know if its possible in today's world to recreate a successful Dixieland Park based on what it offered back then. Btw, I think we have some images of Dixieland Park somewhere around here. I'll see if I can dig them up.

thelakelander · January 24, 2008, 12:12:29 PM

Dixieland Park

Coolyfett · January 24, 2008, 12:24:07 PM

Quote from: Ocklawaha on January 24, 2008, 11:18:18 AM

The South Jacksonville Municipal Railways were completed after the park closed. It didn't close due to lack of support or interest, either. It was completely trashed in a freak almost military surgical strike...from God! A rare hail storm about 1911-12 hit and huge hail stones of softball size rained down on Dixieland Park. By the time the storm passed, there was nothing left but the memories...

Ocklawaha

WHAT!!! Wow I never heard that story!!! How could a hail storm just destroy the park and not other parks of the city?? I guess that damn Oak tree is all that is left?? Amazing.

Coolyfett · January 24, 2008, 12:28:22 PM

Quote from: thelakelander on January 24, 2008, 12:03:08 PM
Metropolitan Park/JEA site? Without connectivity, about as popular and long lasting as the Sub-Tropical Exposition or the Main Street Pocket Park.

I don't know if its possible in today's world to recreate a successful Dixieland Park based on what it offered back then. Btw, I think we have some images of Dixieland Park somewhere around here. I'll see if I can dig them up.

Dude there is plenty of land and I mean PLENTY!!! It just seems to me that there is A LOT of forgotten people/places/things in this city. Does anyone know the exact perimeter of Dixieland? Where did it start and end?

downtownparks · January 24, 2008, 03:55:45 PM

Im sure you could get that from the old sanborn maps.

downtownparks · January 24, 2008, 05:09:24 PM

i looks like by 1913 there was no trace of it.

Coolyfett · January 25, 2008, 10:10:59 PM

Quote from: downtownparks on January 24, 2008, 05:09:24 PM
i looks like by 1913 there was no trace of it.

What is that map from??

Ocklawaha · January 25, 2008, 10:43:01 PM

Downtownparks?? Hello Friend, where did you find THAT Sanborn map series? I have been downtown a dozen times and all they find are a much smaller scale map that gives no street detail. This series might show the street railroad on the Northside, and maybe the Southside after 1923. Let me know or send me a PM if you can help.

Thanks...

Ocklawaha