When Paxson Was the Place to Be

[thelakelander]

A brief look into the history of an early Jacksonville suburban shopping center.

Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/when-paxson-was-the-place-to-be/

[Charles Hunter]

An editorial note.
"Paxon" without the "s" refers to the section of west Jacksonville near Edgewood and Broadway Avenues, including the shopping center and the middle school (now James Weldon Johnson College Prep) and high school.

"Paxson" with the "s" is the late Mr. Wesley Paxson (d. Dec. 2024) and his electrical contracting company, Paxson Electric.  Mr. Paxson was a member, and chair, of the JTA when it was active with major projects including JTB, the Dames Point Bridge, and part of the I-295 East Bypass (then called State Road 9A).  https://www.jacksonville.com/obituaries/psar1032693

[jaxlongtimer]

An editorial note.
"Paxon" without the "s" refers to the section of west Jacksonville near Edgewood and Broadway Avenues, including the shopping center and the middle school (now James Weldon Johnson College Prep) and high school.

"Paxson" with the "s" is the late Mr. Wesley Paxson (d. Dec. 2024) and his electrical contracting company, Paxson Electric.  Mr. Paxson was a member, and chair, of the JTA when it was active with major projects including JTB, the Dames Point Bridge, and part of the I-295 East Bypass (then called State Road 9A).  https://www.jacksonville.com/obituaries/psar1032693

FYI, Paxon area derived its name originally from the Paxon family that owned what appears to be Jacksonville's first airfield.  See this link for its fascinating history:  https://www.airfields-freeman.com/FL/Airfields_FL_Jax_NW.htm .  The old Holiday Inn's restaurant at I-295 and Commonwealth had an aviation theme in honor of this airfield with a number of photos of it on the walls and even an airplane hanging from the atrium ceiling.

[Charles Hunter]

An editorial note.
"Paxon" without the "s" refers to the section of west Jacksonville near Edgewood and Broadway Avenues, including the shopping center and the middle school (now James Weldon Johnson College Prep) and high school.

"Paxson" with the "s" is the late Mr. Wesley Paxson (d. Dec. 2024) and his electrical contracting company, Paxson Electric.  Mr. Paxson was a member, and chair, of the JTA when it was active with major projects including JTB, the Dames Point Bridge, and part of the I-295 East Bypass (then called State Road 9A).  https://www.jacksonville.com/obituaries/psar1032693

FYI, Paxon area derived its name originally from the Paxon family that owned what appears to be Jacksonville's first airfield.  See this link for its fascinating history:  https://www.airfields-freeman.com/FL/Airfields_FL_Jax_NW.htm .  The old Holiday Inn's restaurant at I-295 and Commonwealth had an aviation theme in honor of this airfield with a number of photos of it on the walls and even an airplane hanging from the atrium ceiling.

When I worked on the westside, we'd eat there occasionally, and I remember the aviation theme of the restaurant.