Hi everybody. Actually, I signed up a few weeks ago. I grew up in Jacksonville and have recently rekindled my interest in the area. I left Jacksonville, in 1981 after graduating from Jacksonville University. I occasionally visit family in Jacksonville and I'm always amazed how so much changes every time I return. I have traveled quite a bit over the years and I'm convinced that the landscape of Jacksonville changes more than anyplace I have ever visited. (excluding war zones ;))
We moved to Arlington in 1960 when my family moved here with the old Atlantic Coast Line Rail Road. As a young boy we explored the area for miles around on our bicycles and camped and hunted in the woods along the river in the Ft Caroline area. Downtown was still very vibrant with all kind of places to shop. The Florida Theatre was still showing movies and Crowd's Barber Shop on Bay Street was still giving .50 cent haircuts.
Having retired from the Steamship business, I remember the shipyards on both sides of the river. I collect old Clyde Line memorabilia pertaining to Jacksonville and I'm always amazed when I discover how much we have lost from our St. Johns River connection. Jacksonville was a tourist and business mecca when the shipping industry was downtown. But, it was perceived as a "dirty" or "unsightly" industry and our mayors decided to cleanup the area. And perhaps it was. You guys have done a fantastic job here with all of your research and contributions. I look forward to catching up!
Welcome Major!
You should have plenty of great reading ahead in the History section of the forum.
Welcome. Here are a few articles you may be interested in:
Lost Jacksonville: The Jacksonville Shipyards (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-nov-lost-jacksonville-the-jacksonville-shipyards)
The Steamships of Jacksonville (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-oct-the-steamships-of-jacksonville)
Sniffing Along The Jacksonville Waterfront (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-jul-sniffing-along-the-waterfront)
Forgotten Proposals: The Jacksonville Quay (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-aug-forgotten-proposals-the-jacksonville-quay)
A Different Waterfront (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2008-may-a-different-waterfront)
*waves hello*
Welcome aboard Majorcordite, honorary Sailor. Look forward to all of your posts being that you were "born and bred" in BIG JAX. Hoope to hear from you soon.
"HU"
Welcome.
Well Major, in my best "Coast Line" drawl, "Welcome Aboard..."
From the one artifact the city hasn't lost... yet...
OCKLAWAHA ;D
(http://www.railpace.com/emd/nosee3.jpg)
...and these kids wonder why the name is ALWAYS purple!
only because I can't figure out how to get the silver and gold on there.