First we must POLL THE POLES, I might do this myself, but you Riverside and Springfielders could help if you'd like. It was just brought to my attention by the New York Subway System that we have many, many old Trolley wire support "telephone poles" all around the city. Before the city burys every single one of them we need to give them an ID, some sort of mark, work with the Historical Society on this and make certain that ANY AND ALL taken down from this day forward go to a storage site to be recycled into "NEW" streetcar support poles. (First one to find a sign, a JTCO emblem, "car stop" marking, or hanger arm on the pole gets a free kiss from the old Fat hippie... {we'll take it from there...}). Here are a couple of examples sent to me by the CofNY... and NO, I DID'NT ASK FOR THIS, but I will ask for any history buff's to help out. I'll post the streetcar map again, unless Lakelander or another friend or two can beat me to it. Simply comb the corners, streets etc... and try and list where we can find these old and ornate poles. They could certainly be reused in Springfield and Riverside/Avondale. Here is what they sent me:
(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/Ocklawaha/TRANSIT%20Heritage%20Trolleys/trolleypole2.jpg)
(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/Ocklawaha/TRANSIT%20Heritage%20Trolleys/trolleypole1.jpg)
Secondly, we need every reader of these boards to keep an eye out for strange patterns in any older house within the 5+ county Metro area. There were over 100 Jacksonville streetcars that were hauled off "FREE" to home owners all over the area for use as houses, Florida rooms, sheds, live stock coops etc. We simply have to FIND THEM. I know of 5 that have been scrapped since 1980. That still leaves a good number hidden within buildings, backyards, or lots all over the city. They are not always easy to spot. So here are a few photos to get you started.
(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/Ocklawaha/TRANSIT%20Heritage%20Trolleys/saltlakeUT.jpg)
(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/Ocklawaha/TRANSIT%20Heritage%20Trolleys/TXtrolleyhouse.jpg)
(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/Ocklawaha/TRANSIT%20Heritage%20Trolleys/sneakytrolley.jpg)
(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/Ocklawaha/TRANSIT%20Heritage%20Trolleys/BOBSDREAMOFFICE.jpg)
(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/Ocklawaha/TRANSIT%20Heritage%20Trolleys/trolleyhouseintexas.jpg)
(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/Ocklawaha/TRANSIT%20Heritage%20Trolleys/TrolleyHouseFind.jpg)
(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/Ocklawaha/TRANSIT%20Heritage%20Trolleys/TrolleyHouse.jpg)
(http://www.forsythe4kc.com/uploaded_images/forsythe_abandoned_streetcar.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/2651481977_420224beb1_o.jpg)
I hope this gives you some idea of how well hidden our history might be. Reportedly there are 2 or 3 cars in one of the old San Marco neighborhoods. I suspect several more in Springfield, Riverside, Moncrief, Durkeeville, St. Nicholas and other older neighborhoods. You might spot any odd shape in a building that would give you the clue to look closer. Remember the bodies will be about 8 - 10 feet wide, wood or steel, or a combination of both. They will be 10-12 feet tall. Perhaps all you'll see is a strange frequent window pattern in an old industrial building---Clue= STREETCAR?, a strange "bay window" that turns out to be a streetcar front. Perhaps no sign at all but strange steel frames hanging under your neighbors house? The last one I saw was in the CENTER of a cabin, but the roof gave it away... who builds a roof with a row of tiny stained glass slit type windows? Frankly, if we could find just ONE, we'd have something to restore and create a public stir about. The Laurels go to the neighborhood and neighbors that find it. I can promise you some major news coverage - they love this stuff.
PLEASE JOIN THE EFFORT. Let me hear from you with any questions or comments. Let's save whatever is left of our Traction Heritage. I calculate they are scattered from about 50 miles North of Savannah to South of St. Augustine, with about 80% in the Jacksonville City limits, 10% in Savannah (their last operations) and the remaining ones scattered throughout the farm communities in between.
THIS IS THE MOTHER OF ALL SCAVENGER HUNTS!
OCKLAWAHA
(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/Ocklawaha/100_0582.jpg)
OCKLAWAHA