Urban Neighborhoods: Durkeeville

[Metro Jacksonville]

Urban Neighborhoods: Durkeeville



Officially part of the Mid-Westside, Durkeeville grew up as as an African-American streetcar suburb around the first decade of the 20th century.  Despite its setbacks, Durkeeville still remains one of Jacksonville’s most intact and pedestrian-friendly working class neighborhoods.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/1038

[9a is my backyard]

Another great article - particularly good conclusion.  Metro Jax continues to layout concrete evidence of how rail will help the urban core.  I think the resistance to rail/a better mass transit plan is slowly being chipped away by articles like this.

[fsu813]

Stanton c/o 99......represent.

[ProjectMaximus]

'02

[TheProfessor]

It looks like this area has some nice urban fabric with a lot of potential.  Let's get the rail going!!!

[brainstormer]

I agree, another great article.  I love the unique architecture in many of the residential photos.  Unfortunately many of the homes look like they need some TLC, as I guess is the case for most of the neighborhoods surrounding downtown.  I"m wondering when can we stop talking about the benefits of rail and actually start reaping them?  I hope rail does eventually come to Jacksonville.  When it does, however, there will need to be some serious neighborhood discussions about how to embrace it.  For example, a community like Durkeeville, should continue to keep it's unique building character and history, while still coming up with ways to improve it that do not include demolition.  Neighborhoods are going to need to be allowed to set some guidelines on what kind of new development they want.  In my opinion, Jacksonville sucks in this area.  City Hall makes all of the decisions and rarely is public input sought.  Will Jacksonville continue to just rubber stamp APPROVED to every new cookie cutter development or will they allow input so unique areas around downtown don't just become suburb look-a-likes with crappy strip malls and unimaginative homes.  New development should be required to fit into its surroundings, but at the same time move neighborhoods forward in terms of economic growth.

[Bewler]

I seriously want to know, and I don't mean to offend by asking but does the name Durkeeville originate from old racist slang? (Darkeeville?)

[riverside_mail]

Stanton c/o 86......hip to be square!

[thelakelander]

I seriously want to know, and I don't mean to offend by asking but does the name Durkeeville originate from old racist slang? (Darkeeville?)

Durkeeville was founded by Joseph Henry Durkee.  He was a Union Army captain and pallbearer at President Lincoln's funeral who settled in Jacksonville after the Civil War.

[Bewler]

Durkeeville was founded by Joseph Henry Durkee.  He was a Union Army captain and pallbearer at President Lincoln's funeral who settled in Jacksonville after the Civil War.

Ok thank you. I've tried looking it up before but to no avail.

I know this is the south and all but I couldn't bring myself to believe it. I have a friend from out of town who would heard the name before and would always laugh about it and say "your town is so racist". Thank God I can prove him wrong.

[JaxNole]

Stanton c/o 95.   

[nicktooch]

'05 here

[heights unknown]

Darkeeville? "Oh, darky how my heart grows weary...." (from the song, "Suwanee River)."

Heights Unknown

[mtraininjax]

Best pictorial of a neighborhood yet! Fantastic stuff! Thanks!

[Coolyfett]

Where did you get the information that Stanton and EWC were hit by the 1901 Fire?? I have never heard or read that ANYWHERE....