Why is it called "College" street?

[JamesBell]

I am trying to find out as much about the history of my house on College St as I can.  I'm stuck on a pretty simple one though: Why is it named "College street"? 

I know it was called Lemon street as late as 1905 but then called College in 1914 and ever after.  I know it was renumbered in the 1920s.  But I see no college along it in the past.  The John Gorrie was once a junior high school but that's certainly not a college, and it was apparently built (1923) after the street was renamed.

Does anyone have any clues for me?

[thelakelander]

I'm not for sure when it was named but there was a military college in Murray Hill at the end of the College Street street car line. That school closed sometime around World War I.

[Ken_FSU]

^If it was renamed College Street in 1914, that's gotta be it.

Renamed to coincide with the opening of the Florida Military Academy.

[jaxlongtimer]

What is the story about the building?  Looks like it was substantial.

[Ken_FSU]

What is the story about the building?  Looks like it was substantial.

Completed in 1914 as the Florida Military Academy.

Closed in 1919.

Sat vacant until 1922, when it was purchased by the National Benevolent Association as a Christian senior home.

Here she is in 1959, courtesy the UNF Digital Commons (https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/flapostcards/172/):



Seems to have been demolished sometime in the 1960s.

Fun article about a mysterious painting found at the site, and efforts to identify its subject: https://residentnews.net/2016/08/05/seniors-seek-mystery-womans-identity/

[thelakelander]

It was demolished for the mid-century senior living facility that still stands today.

[Jax_Developer]

Oh wow this was there?? That's super interesting... Quite the building to be demolished in Murray Hill.

[jcjohnpaint]

Thanks for the ask and findings. I always wondered this as well.

[JamesBell]

Thank you all!  I tracked down the Dixie article that seems to have the best pic of the military academy: https://imgur.com/a/VKqFAjJ
The issue of Dixie is here (page 5): https://www.newspapers.uflib.ufl.edu/UF00048818/00070/zoom/4

I'm amazed at such a large building only used for 5 years but I guess it was a wartime effort

[jaxlongtimer]

Over 100 years ago:  Development features included electric car line, sewer system, shade trees and gas lines.  I would say developers were far better then than today with typically no mass transit, septic tanks in many areas, all trees removed and few areas with gas lines.  Where did we go wrong  ?

Affordable?  10% down and 1% a month toward purchase price would indicate a paid off house with 90 months (7 1/2 years).  Not 15, not 20 and not 30 years.

[JamesBell]

I also found a 1914 streetcar map which looks like it includes the College line to FMC

https://www.moderncities.com/article/2024-jun-a-1914-map-of-jacksonvilles-streetcar-system

[acme54321]

Over 100 years ago:  Development features included electric car line, sewer system, shade trees and gas lines.  I would say developers were far better then than today with typically no mass transit, septic tanks in many areas, all trees removed and few areas with gas lines.  Where did we go wrong  ?

Affordable?  10% down and 1% a month toward purchase price would indicate a paid off house with 90 months (7 1/2 years).  Not 15, not 20 and not 30 years.

When these neighborhoods were developed they looked just like new developments today as far as trees go.  Providing mass transit was a necessity for developers to get people to move out to what was then the suburbs  because most people didn't have cars.

[JamesBell]

I found a source for the renaming in the Metropolis from 8/21/1913

[Tacachale]

I found a source for the renaming in the Metropolis from 8/21/1913

Nice find!