Exploring the 19th century community of New Berlin

[thelakelander]

A visual tour of a 19th century fishing village that continues to survive several miles northeast of Downtown Jacksonville: New Berlin

Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/exploring-the-19th-century-community-of-new-berlin/

[Downtown Osprey]

Great article and history lesson! I always thought it would have been such a cool idea to have a local fishing market at the landing. (or whatever is going to go there now)

[thelakelander]

That's definitely a local historical element that I'd love to see included in the future of the downtown riverfront somewhere.

[Tacachale]

Great article and history lesson! I always thought it would have been such a cool idea to have a local fishing market at the landing. (or whatever is going to go there now)

It's #1 on my list: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/10-attractions-downtown-jacksonville-should-have/

Maybe a good sign, as since I wrote that, we now have #3 (river dolphin tours), #6 (Augusta Savage's Lift Every Voice and Sing monument) is funded and #9 (bike network) could be soon. There's also talks of doing #2 (Southern rock and local music museum). Hopefully a fish market will be seriously considered. I'd also request docks for shrimpers and fishermen, especially those who work on the river.

[thelakelander]

^ I'd love to see one of the former Shipyards piers dedicated to something like this or as a place where people are allowed to fish.

[Tacachale]

^ I'd love to see one of the former Shipyards piers dedicated to something like this or as a place where people are allowed to fish.

Fishing pier is my number 7. That one needs to happen yesterday.

[Snaketoz]

Very close to New Berlin was a community named Eastport.  My dad was born there.  In the 1920s it had a post office, stores, and ferry service to downtown.  All that's left is Eastport Rd.

[BridgeTroll]

^ I'd love to see one of the former Shipyards piers dedicated to something like this or as a place where people are allowed to fish.

Fishing pier is my number 7. That one needs to happen yesterday.

Yep... this is a no brainer...

[jaxlongtimer]

One time, when I had to make a round trip to the airport to drop off and then pick up visitors, I filled the time gap by driving to this area and found myself driving under the approach to the Dames Point Bridge down to the riverfront.

I was amazed at the hundreds of centuries old oak trees that forested the area.  It was one of the most beautiful tree stands I ever saw in NE Florida (another was the hundreds of palms that made "Palm Valley" that FDOT cleared out when replacing the original bridge with what is there now).  Sadly, soon after, the Port came in and bulldozed all of it for what now appears to be empty lots, the expanded rail yard, the LNG terminal, etc.  If this had been a more visible area, I would have hoped the outcry for saving it would have stopped the Port in its tracks.

This, along with the river dredging, to me, demonstrates how much of our quality environment we have sacrificed in the name of "economic development."  I am not against the latter but there needs to be more thought put into balancing it with our quality of life.