Lost Jacksonville. Downtown Hotels: The Grande Dames

[Metro Jacksonville]

Lost Jacksonville. Downtown Hotels: The Grande Dames



Jacksonville Florida was once considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and its downtown was simultaneously home to one of the largest theater districts in America and an African American Cultural district in LaVilla whose vibrancy provided the genesis for the Harlem Renaissance.

Visitors and tourists came from all over the world to visit its beautiful and unforgettable charm, and they were hosted in hotels that defined the downtown experience.

Join MetroJacksonville as we revisit the Grande Dames of the Jacksonville Hotel District.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-jul-lost-jacksonville-downtown-hotels-the-grande-dames

[I-10east]

There's something that's nostalgic and elegant about having a hotel's name start with 'Hotel' like many of these hotels listed were. Although many of those hotels were fireproof, unfortunately they weren't wrecking ball proof. Nice work Stephen.

[Wacca Pilatka]

This is a terrific record.  Any postcards or info on the former Plaza Hotel that's still standing on Forsyth?

[finehoe]

Fabulous piece!

Does anyone understand what "The word UP is not used at...Hotel Flagler" is supposed to mean?

[aubureck]

Excellent article, I love the map it really puts things into a visual perspective of the landscape of downtown at the beginning of the twentieth century.

[Ron Mexico]

I looked on the Internet for more photos of these great buildings and was stunned to see so many of the buildings had simply been demolished in the 70's and 80's...stunning.

[Arlingtondude]

Some of these hotels were built during the Gilded Age (mid 1870's to 1912)

[Bill Ectric]

Yeah, what fineho said. What does "The word UP not used at the Hotel Flagler" mean??

[Wacca Pilatka]

Fabulous piece!

Does anyone understand what "The word UP is not used at...Hotel Flagler" is supposed to mean?

I interpreted it as when they quoted a price they didn't mean "...and up," because the rest of the description concerned how the hotel was a good value?

[Cliffs_Daughter]

Wow, that postcard of the De Soto Hotel is amazing - you get a clear view of the old Acosta Bridge in the background without all the skyscrapers!!

[Timkin]

Nice presentation.. I recognized the old Acosta as well..

So today....am I correct that only two of these buildings still stand?

[stjr]

Great article.  Loss of these structures amounts to ripping much of the heart out of the City's downtown.  It's no wonder it stays in the doldrums.  Unfortunately, we continue to destroy our splendid past and replace it with a less-than-splendid present.

So today....am I correct that only two of these buildings still stand?

I think so.  Just the Roosevelt/Carling and the Ambassador.

[Timkin]

And my bet is that they will see demolition within 5 years.

[Jaxson]

And my bet is that they will see demolition within 5 years.

@Timkin - Now, the last thing that our city needs is encouragement to tear down more historic buildings!  ; )

[tufsu1]

And my bet is that they will see demolition within 5 years.

I hiughly doubt the Carling will be knocked down anytime soon