WHERE DOES JACKSONVILLE STAND, POPULATION WISE, WITHOUT CONSOLIDATION (OLD CITY)

[Charles Hunter]

^Now, there's nothing for it to annex. It wasn't that way back in 1970. Its very possible if Jax had not consolidated with the county that we'd have a few new municipalities now. For example, I imagine that the Southside would be its own city by now.

Interesting thought. I wonder if the Town of Arlington would have had a chance?
What are some other potential towns? Marietta? Wesconnett? And what would the boundaries of thelakelander's Southside town? (and what would it call itself - Englewood? San Jose?

[jaxlongtimer]

Hard to imagine the southside being its own city, but I do remember the Southbank being called "South Jacksonville." San Marco would've either been downtown for the Southbank or South Jacksonville or maybe the southside; also possible as you say southside would've became its own town or city. At any rate, had Jax not consolidated, we can all agree that it would not have been nearly as big as it is now; not even close.

Back in the day, Southside should have incorporated as Bayard North  .  Phiips Highway would be its Main Street and University Blvd. its crosstown "beltway."  With TOD planning around rail and highway, University Blvd. between Philips and the FEC RR could have been its high rise downtown.    I-95 down the street would just be interstate gravy, connecting it to the outside world. 

Go back further, to when rail ran where Beach Blvd. is now, and Beach and (what is now) University could have been the center of Bayard North.

Mandarin could have been Bayard West.  The Beaches could be Bayard East.

And... Bayard would be very famous today instead of a fading name to be forgotten by most.  Poor Bayard.

What could have been, huh?  LOL.

[heights unknown]

Hard to imagine the southside being its own city, but I do remember the Southbank being called "South Jacksonville." San Marco would've either been downtown for the Southbank or South Jacksonville or maybe the southside; also possible as you say southside would've became its own town or city. At any rate, had Jax not consolidated, we can all agree that it would not have been nearly as big as it is now; not even close.

Back in the day, Southside should have incorporated as Bayard North  .  Phiips Highway would be its Main Street and University Blvd. its crosstown "beltway."  With TOD planning around rail and highway, University Blvd. between Philips and the FEC RR could have been its high rise downtown.    I-95 down the street would just be interstate gravy, connecting it to the outside world. 

Go back further, to when rail ran where Beach Blvd. is now, and Beach and (what is now) University could have been the center of Bayard North.

Mandarin could have been Bayard West.  The Beaches could be Bayard East.

And... Bayard would be very famous today instead of a fading name to be forgotten by most.  Poor Bayard.

What could have been, huh?  LOL.

I never knew about Bayard; thanks for educating me. That Southside thing or place had great potential to be even bigger than Jacksonville. That's where the flux of the population of Duval County is located I believe.

[thelakelander]

Influence from 30 miles south? Miami? Being in a metro of 7 million people doesn't hurt either regardless of a lower population (look at Sunny Isles, Hollywood Beach, Hallandale Beach and other cities in that area...not large populations but skylines that rival or surpass some major Florida cities).

Broward County alone has 2 million people, basically double Duval's population. Fort Lauderdale serves at the central business district and government center. Throw in the money and international tourism down there and you get yourself a skyline much larger than the city's population.

[thelakelander]

^Now, there's nothing for it to annex. It wasn't that way back in 1970. Its very possible if Jax had not consolidated with the county that we'd have a few new municipalities now. For example, I imagine that the Southside would be its own city by now.

Interesting thought. I wonder if the Town of Arlington would have had a chance?
What are some other potential towns? Marietta? Wesconnett? And what would the boundaries of thelakelander's Southside town? (and what would it call itself - Englewood? San Jose?

I could have seen a scenario where some of the beach cities annex land west of the Intracoastal. For example, it could have been a world where Mayo Clinic ends up in Jax Beach or Queens Harbor in Atlantic Beach as opposed to Jacksonville.

I could also have seen Mandarin becoming a municipality again in a push to better control the sprawl growth that engulfed it and San Jose Boulevard in the late 20th century. Or some of the mid-century suburbs like Arlington or Cedar Hills incorporating to better control their futures in the 70s and 80s.

[Lostwave]

I live across the street from mayo.  My zip code is 32250, same as Jax Bch.  Most of my mail says Jacksonville Beach, FL, 32250 on it.  I think back when our neighborhood was built (50s-60s) they were part of Jax Bch.

[acme54321]

I live across the street from mayo.  My zip code is 32250, same as Jax Bch.  Most of my mail says Jacksonville Beach, FL, 32250 on it.  I think back when our neighborhood was built (50s-60s) they were part of Jax Bch.

That's just because the USPS assigns city names to zip codes based on what fits the best for that code.  If most of the zip is in Jax Beach then they will call it Jax Beach and the official USPS database for your address will be Jax Beach because USPS lives on zip codes.  As long as the zip code is correct on the mailing address you could put either city name on it and it will get delivered.

[Florida Power And Light]

Why does the Pre Population even matter now? Some kind of Think Tank? Skip That.
On the other hand, I understand and have delved in to the Question.Extensive files/storage.
Too bad that upon Consolidation the Intent could have been no Bold City  (Growth) but rather, a radical steady state ......far over the Then Native Propensity....(          ).

I had been working- with some success,at limiting future "Growth". Retain currently undeveloped lands.More on the Order Of How Preconsolidation ( and a bit later) Lands Looked Like And Functioned Then.
( Do not discount this aspect- an attorney that represented a land owner in a wetland development proposal/Freedom Commerce Center and connected to the Mayor John Delaney network would become present day President Trump key Advisor trained in Swamp; Susie Wiles.

My Father In Law was the Chief General Counsel  upon Consolidation.
Some interesting and informative conversations.
Judge often noted Consolidation efforts that spanned Way Back prior many decades before..........

Fast Forward: ( and Back some years..)
Jacksonville's Millionth Mania!
Jacksonville Millionth Citizen Population Hallmark!
Yea! Fireworks Downtown! Local Bank ( Name now Not Recalled by most of us) a major Event supporter. City Of Jacksonville Events Office.
Let's Look:
Only by including Surrounding County/ "Statistical Area" ( et al) could "Jacksonville" claim Millionth Mania Population.
Somewhat later noted via good ol' Miami Herald Columnist Carl Hiaasen and his book " Kick Ass" and the refrerence to Jacksonville Millionth Celebration and this writer.
Ancient History.

Interesting to watch how the non consolidation acreage has evolved. No matter how predictable or even boring.

This Is Hereby Proclaimed; Known Here As An Endless Loop.