A Story of Forgotten Jacksonville Coming Soon

[dougskiles]

^+1

And I like the list.  Who will be doing most of the writing?  Editing?

[thelakelander]

I'm doing the lion's share of the writing and research (btw, I just left the planning department with a chunk of files to comb through) with cameos by Ocklawaha and Stephendare.  Interior images are being taken by Nomeus and exterior by Lunican.   Historic imagery, maps, etc. will primarily come from the state's archive collection and Jacksonville's historic preservation commission.  Editing will be done by Beth Slater and Sarah Gojekian.

[Wacca Pilatka]

Sounds like the Dream Team to me.

(The real kind, not the Philadelphia Eagles kind)

[duvaldude08]

I would like to see a nationally televised documentary about Jacksonville aired. People really dont know how much history this city holds. This was the place to be a for a very long time.

[Wacca Pilatka]

I would like to see a nationally televised documentary about Jacksonville aired. People really dont know how much history this city holds. This was the place to be a for a very long time.

It's not national, but the Historical Society is selling a 60-minute documentary with oral histories of the city from the 20s to the 70s.  Just bought a copy at the gingerbread house festival on Monday, but haven't watched it yet.

[Mike D]

I look forward to this...it's a great idea and I'm sure y'all will do a fine job as you do with this website.  I like Forgotten Jacksonville as a title because that sums up what has happened with so many of these places.  But whatever you call it, I will be eager to see and read it.

[JeffreyS]

Jacksonville "the lost old city of the south".

[Yossarianlives]

This is an awesome idea.  Any word on how you are going to market the story?  So many great things that so many people are unaware of.  I would love for this to become common knowledge for all peoples living in the Jax metro area

[JeffreyS]

Jacksonville "the lost old city of the south".

Perhaps it is better Jacksonville "The Bold old city of the South".

[Timkin]

"Jacksonville's Crumbling History: Forgotten Landmarks"

[heights unknown]

Jacksonville:  Unfilfilled dreams, plans, and expectations

Heights Unknown

[pwhitford]

Jacksonville: From Out of the Ashes, a Phoenix Shall Rise.

[Timkin]

Can you share the list of structures?

My current plan is to get down to 15.  As of this morning, here is what remains on the list. Those in bold have already made the cut.

1. Ambassador Hotel

2. American Motors Export Company

3. Barnett Bank Building

4. Barrier's Ice Cream Company (516 Houston/521 Forsyth)

5. Florida Machine & Foundry

6. Ford Motor Company assembly plant

7. Furchgott's

8. Independent Life Building (old JEA Building)

9. Jacksonville Brewing Company

10. Jacksonville Terminal Tunnels

11. Laura Street Trio

12. Moncrief Springs/Moncrief Park

13. Mount Olive Cemetery

14. Seminole Club

15. Springfield Park (Hogans Creek)

16. Annie Lytle School

I'll also say, doing the research for this has been a pretty great experience.  The best part has been learning the story behind why these places were built and the story of the individuals, families, the companies behind them, and their impact on the Jax we know today.  The combination of those stories, historic, and present day imagery helps someone like me (who wasn't around during Jax's heyday) get a strong vibe of what life was like in old time urban Jacksonville and what it can be like with good planning.

Lake... I posted earlier and then retracted my post because I did not want to lead anyone to think I was trying to pick a fight.

   Whichever buildings you and your  team elect to represent , I salute the effort to put this into a publication.  I am sure with the talent involved , the end product will be a masterpiece.

I completely concur that all of these places are significant and should some how be re purposed.

From a stand point of historic, IMO  The old JEA building is somewhat newer, probably in better shape than any of the other places.  Probably of all of the BUILDINGS you mention in your list in the downtown core, it would need the least amount spent on it , to re purpose it.   If it came between the Laura Trio and the JEA building being saved and re purposed, clearly I think most would agree the Laura Trio should be spared.  It is historic , and prominent and has great potential to help restore downtown vibrancy.   Maybe the JEA building does as well, but I doubt it has quite as much to offer.

I saw that the Annie Lytle School was not highlighted... accordingly  I presume for what ever reason (?)  It does not make the cut.

I have no idea , why  a prominent 1917 School house Structure in Brooklyn ( last time I checked , Brooklyn is part of "downtown" , just not part of the CORE of downtown" )  Would not be represented as clearly one of the most endangered and forgotten pieces.

It is the mindset, clearly of some on this Forum that the Annie Lytle Should be demolished, and that its context with the interstate kills its possibilities, and so on and so forth.    I , Respectfully disagree strongly .  I personally think it is every bit as important as any one of the other places you have named, not to mention when it comes to cost to renovate and adapt to reuse, among the least expensive of the Structures you name on your list. It lies in close proximity to complementing vibrant areas. The others, in downtown, not only are endangered aned very expensive to bring to life but still lack much in complementing connections to them.   That said, I truly want to see ALL of these places spared, as well as Genovar's  , Fire Station 5, even the now vacant Kyle funeral home building...definitely a landmark, probably as endangered as any of these other places.

That Annie Lytle School would not make this cut is disappointing.   However this plays out, I have to be okay with it . I will still continue to seek a way to save it, despite ridicule , and opposition of saving it.

So this post replaces my previous post.     All can feel free to fire away at me , or agree.  Whichever is fine.

[sheclown]

Fantastic!  I think you ought to stick with the title you've used so far "Forgotten Jacksonville." 

[thelakelander]

That Annie Lytle School would not make this cut is disappointing.   However this plays out, I have to be okay with it . I will still continue to seek a way to save it, despite ridicule , and opposition of saving it.

Timkin, if the Annie Lytle doesn't make the list, it doesn't mean that we didn't deem it as important or not being a landmark.  It would be because we couldn't get interior access into the building to photograph it.  Nevertheless, I may also choose to get around this issue by using a combination of exterior and historic imagery, along with graphics from a failed redevelopment plan I still have.