Historic Jax Theatre Palaces : Brief Book Review

[spuwho]

Another brief review of a recent book on Jacksonville history.

"Historic Jacksonville Theatre Palaces, Drive-Ins and Movie Houses"

by Dorothy Fletcher

http://www.amazon.com/Historic-Jacksonville-Theatre-Drive-ins-Landmarks/dp/1626197709/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451584882&sr=8-1&keywords=9781626197701



This book takes you through the various movie palaces that were in Jacksonville. From the largest to the smallest of movies houses, she seems to have them all covered. From the Brentwood, to the Imperial. Since I am not familiar with all of the theatres that were in LaVilla, I can't tell if they were omitted or just unaware.

I really enjoyed the section on the areas drive in theatres. Having grown up in the "drive in" era and seeing so few of them now, I find the history around them interesting. Does anyone know where the Main Street Drive In was? Apparently this was a hot spot in its time!

Overall its a great way to get immersed in the theatrical history of Jacksonville.  It would be interesting to dig out the modern facades that have been placed on some of these show houses and re-expose their grandeur somehow.

Enjoy your reading!

[thelakelander]

Looks pretty interesting. As far as LaVilla goes, I see the Strand and Ritz. But most of the others, like the Globe and Airdome aren't included.

[IrvAdams]

Spuwho, the Main Street Drivein Theatre was located on the northeast corner of 45th and Main streets and was a very popular destination in its heyday of the fifties and sixties. I'm actually not sure when it was constructed. It boasted a large screen showing first-run features with a playground and concession stand on the premises. As I recall it was always packed, in fact in its early days they built an overflow lot where extra cars could wait for the next showing if all the spots were taken.

The neighborhood was located within walking distance of Gateway Mall. Back then the Interstate was nonexistent or still a new novelty, so Main Street was heavily traveled with locals and tourists, and also ran frequent reliable bus service. Downtown was still the main option of choice for food and shopping, although as time went on Gateway, same as the other regional malls, drew off many customers. The streetcars were unfortunately gone by my day, but I heard stories of them.

[spuwho]

Thank you for the reference, much appreciated.

It seems it was across the street from the Andrew Jackson HS football field and is now a strip mall.

I am not sure how old that football field is (late 60's?) but things must have really been buzzing on the weekends around there.

On a Friday night you could have a football game, across the street a movie playing, and if a train came through from Talleyrand, yikes!

There is a huge vacant lot at Main and 48th with just a slab left. Any ideas what that was?

[thelakelander]

That slab was one of the first strip malls in town. There are images/aerials of the drive-in on the Florida Memory site.

[spuwho]

That slab was one of the first strip malls in town. There are images/aerials of the drive-in on the Florida Memory site.

Thanks, I will take a look at it.

[IrvAdams]

That slab was one of the first strip malls in town. There are images/aerials of the drive-in on the Florida Memory site.

Yes, I recall that strip mall from my early childhood. It was a local gathering point, with the five and dime, grocery store, hardware store, etc. I remember seeing spotlights trained at the sky when the mall would have a promotion or a sale. I thought the spotlights were cool.

I remember a chain 'superstore' that went up behind it in the mid sixties - JM Fields I think the name was.

[thelakelander]

Yes, JM Fields was built behind the shopping center. Here's a few aerials showing the drive-in and the shopping center across the street. The old Trout River railroad trestle can be seen in the distance as well.


https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/166996


https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/166998


https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/166997

[IrvAdams]

Oh wow - nostalgia from the air. Thanks so much. The old trestle is now a fishing pier, I think. My elementary, middle (we called it Junior High) and high schools were all on Main Street, easily accessible by foot or bus. The largest cemetery in the region (Evergreen)  was also in this neighborhood, visible near the top of one of these pics.

[thelakelander]

The fishing pier is the old Main Street bridge over the Trout River. The old railroad trestle was adjacent to the USG wallboard plant.

[thelakelander]

^
1956


2010

[DDC]

Thank you for the reference, much appreciated.

It seems it was across the street from the Andrew Jackson HS football field and is now a strip mall.

I am not sure how old that football field is (late 60's?) but things must have really been buzzing on the weekends around there.

On a Friday night you could have a football game, across the street a movie playing, and if a train came through from Talleyrand, yikes!

There is a huge vacant lot at Main and 48th with just a slab left. Any ideas what that was?

The location that is Andrew Jackson Football Field was not always that. I don't remember when it was changed but for many years it was just a track that was connected to Northshore Elementary. I graduated in 1975 from Jackson and we never had a home field. Our homegames were in the Gator Bowl.

I remember the Main Street Drive In as a youngster. We lived off of Cedar Bay Rd in the early 60's and went there many times, along with stops by Josephs Pizza just a few blocks north at 64th and Main.

Good times.

[IrvAdams]

^^ Yes it was just a track before it was AJ's field. There wasn't enough acreage at the high school for a football field so they built it down there as I understand.