Unique Jacksonville: Independent Square

[Charles Hunter]

I remember all of that, except Brandon's, don't remember where it used to be.

Also remember that, when the Gulf Life Tower was finished and getting ready to open, there was a local rumor that (then) well-known 'psychic' Jeanne Dixon ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeane_Dixon ) predicted it would fall down.  When local reporters contacted her, she said she'd never heard of the building, so couldn't have predicted it's fall.

[jeh1980]

I don't know of a Morrisons in ATT/Bellsouth/Southern Bell.  But Riverplace, when it was Gulf Life, did have a Morrisons or equivalent on the ground level looking out over the river as I recall.  There also was a local bank in the lobby called St. Johns River Bank I believe.

The "mall" you may be recalling could be the mini-mall of stores that were on the street side of the once Hilton/Sheraton (now Crowne) hotel at ground level below the plaza.  There were also stores along the Southbank Riverwalk where the Wyndam (formerly Radisson/Sheraton) is - I think the complex was called "The Wharf".

To be honest with you, I read that there actually was a Morrison's @ in the Southern Bell Tower (AT&T). I was researching a 1985 issue of Jacksonville Magazine @ the old Main Library downtown and I saw a page with the picture of the Tower Mall sign with the building on the background. It was surprised to find out that Morrison's was actually listed as one of the tenants. Ain't that something!

[YellowBluffRoad]

Yes, there was a Strawberry Fields in that mini-mall under the Hilton.

I remember all of those places, including when Brandon's was on the Southpoint. I can't remember exactly which street, though. I used to go in as a kid with my dad, who's a shutterbug. They were very popular and the tiny store was crammed with stuff. They needed more space, and got it with the move to the former skating rink.

Yep, my parents banked at The State Bank. I still remember the long drive-through lines when Mom would take me after school to go cash Dad's paycheck before he could go spend it at Brandon's.

[Jaxnative1]

The Independent Life Building was the very first place I worked.  It brings back fond memories.  I worked in the "Personnel Dept" as part of a school-work program back in 1977.  I've lived away from Jacksonville (my birthplace) since 1981 but I fondly remember the Jacksonville Skyline from my youth. Jaxnative1 (Agnes Campbell)

[nicktooch]

how come there is no info about the switch to "modis"?

[jeh1980]

Independent Life Building became "Accustaff" in 1998 and lasted for a short time. Then Modis came on the scene shortly before the new millennium started. I think I have that right!

[heights unknown]

The AccuStaff sign on the building just didn't quite catch it with me; now the MODIS sign is large, and imposing, I love it!

Heights Unknown

[johnsantangelo]

MPS Group was once known as AccuStaff, then Modis Professional Services, and now MPS Group. The Modis name (now the IT staffing business unit of MPS Group) has remained on the building though.

[Ocklawaha]

HeightsUnknown, February 5, 2009, 8:46 pm
Re: Unique Jacksonville: Independent Square

If BOA was in NYC it too would look small and insignificant compared to the surrounding buildings and skyscrapers; it would be just another building in the skyline.  Good thing it was built here because it (BOA) is the "bell of the ball" because of its "tallest building" status and the fact that there are no supertalls and/or very few talls in the skyline.

This is not a slam on you HeightsUnknown, but I'm always amazed how we Americans tend to think we own the World. Yes our BOA building would vanish in the NYC skyline, like a drop of water in the sea.

But the funny part is our NYC would vanish into the skyline of SAO PAULO, BRASIL, or Hong Kong.

OCKLAWAHA

[stjr]

Does anyone remember Diamond Head at the foot of the Acosta before River City Brewing?  Or the Travel Lodge at the Acosta on ramp from San Marco Blvd? 

Well, here is the Travel Lodge!

[Overstreet]

The second picture is probably pre 1960. Notice the Civic Auditorium (built early 60s), Daniel Building, and old city hall are missing.

Independent Life building has several levels of parking garage under the building. They also used to shoot fire works off the building roof for the 4th of July.

When The Auchter Company was building the thing they found a rail road steam engine burried under the building. WHen it was docks a steam engine derailed and fell off the dock into the mud. It was too big to remove from the mud so they left it. It was too big and envolved to remove at building time so they removed the caisson layout and built the buliding around it.

[Charles Hunter]

When The Auchter Company was building the thing they found a rail road steam engine burried under the building. WHen it was docks a steam engine derailed and fell off the dock into the mud. It was too big to remove from the mud so they left it. It was too big and envolved to remove at building time so they removed the caisson layout and built the buliding around it.

Uh oh - now Ock is going to want to go spelunking to check out the choo choo! 

[joydoy]

Jean Dixon DID say Gulf Life would fall before it opened. It was (at the time) the tallest building in Jax. However, the letters fell into the St Johns....not the building, of course. So....in essence, Gulf Life did really fall. If she said she never heard of the building....she was lying.

[Timkin]

Pretty neat!

[ricker]

HOORRAAAAAY Laura street revitalization!