Durkeeville: Jacksonville

[Metro Jacksonville]

Durkeeville: Jacksonville



The historic community of Durkeeville, one of Jacksonville's most dense historic neighborhoods, developed in the 1930s as a place of refuge for the city’s African Americans during the Jim Crow Era. Like many inner city neighborhoods, the area began to suffer after being cut off from downtown by I-95, and then by blight and crime during the 1970s through the early 1990s. Despite its setbacks, Durkeeville still remains one of Jacksonville’s most intact, pedestrian friendly, working class neighborhoods.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/193

[Lysander]

was a center for the rising african american middle class, many  teachers lived in the area. Durkeeville Housing was built in the late 30s, designed by the forerunners of RSH and Klutho.

[JJ]

Can you say 'potential'?

[Jim]

I hope something positive comes from the hard work many have put into Durkeeville. It has such a quaint feel about it.

[Terri- Citizens of D.A.R.P (Du]

I am a resident of Historic Durkeeville and I am a leading member of Citizens for D.A.R.P. We are beginning the move toward a transformation in Jacksonville's only Historic Africian American Community. This is a great write up but some of the pictures showing some of the nicer cottage, bunglow style and colonial homes would have been great to showcase. Look for the changes to occur within the next couple of years.
I am also C0-founder of Venue South, a local online literary journal with Amani Francis. We have designaited our next fall issue to Durkeeville which will be launched in late September. Please visit us at www.venuesouth.com and submit your writings as well.

[Rome]

I love that aerial shot of the neighborhood. It looks like a shot of one of those cool, older neighborhoods that you would find in places like Los Angeles. It is very un-Jacksonville. The 'potential' comment is right. Durkeeville is loaded with it.

[Mrs. Reginald A. Randolph Jr.]

Hello, I love the article I've read so far.  And I would like to contribute both copies of our home photos - which was verified by the Jacksonville Historical Society as being the very FIRST home built in the Durkeeville area in 1935-38.  We have original photos and photos up to the present of our home.  We are located at 1157 West 8th Street and 1810 Eaverson Street.  Our home has already been designated an historical landmark in Jacksonville, FL.  I am also an English teacher, from a family of teachers who originally resided in the home.  I am also a writer - some poems I've written have had the grace to be published, and I used to work in the news media industry so I hope my credentials would be more than necessary to assist in this new venture for our Durkeeville community.  I look forward to your response.  Thank you and have a BLESSED day!

[Amani Francis - Citizens for DARP]

Hello Mrs. Randolph,
Please contact Terri and I at the above email address.  We would like to speak with you about what is up and coming on our agenda for the neighborhood.

Thanks!

Amani Francis

[BishopRonDozier]

The ballpark picture is a great picture of a dynamic staduim!

Why; however, would a picture of such greatness show a bunch of trash bags in front of the stadium?

Would the White House, City Hall, or Jacksonville Municipal Stadium show a picture to the world of their prestigious buildings, with bags of trash gracing the entrance?

Today is 08/25/08 and the countdown begins...how many days will this same photo remain with the trash in front?

[thelakelander]

Today is 08/25/08 and the countdown begins...how many days will this same photo remain with the trash in front?

We typically don't replace images from old articles.  So the countdown will last as long as the site remains up.  However, at some point in the future we will feature an updated Durkeeville photo thread.  Hopefully, there won't be trash bags around the park on the day we take the images.

[Lunican]

If the city was concerned with trash appearing in photographs they should probably stop piling it up at the entrance.

[Ocklawaha]

3 Civil War Skirmishes/Battles took place in this area, though I'm not sure if we know the exact locations. Certainly Brooklyn-Lackawanna-Durkeeville-Moncrief are high on this list.

Battle of the Brick Yard (driving in federal picketts)
Battle of Mc Coys Creek (a large fight mostly mounted troops in a running battle)
Battle of Brick Church (where the first Confederate officer of Florida fell in battle)

These could be marked with nice signs and some history for the future generations.

There is also Moncrief Springs, a one time mineral spring and spa that attracted many groups for picnics and partys. Is anything left?

Missing Trolley Cars? Durkeeville is just to sort of 1930's era neighborhood, that many old streetcar bodies might reside in. They were sold or given away as sheds, some became homes or porches, Florida rooms, warehouse utility buildings etc... Are any "sleeping" in Durkeeville? If so could they be rescued and rebuilt?

I've got to say after a near 30 year absence, the old strip along Myrtle is jaw dropping beautiful over what it was when I left town. I was so proud of the city and the people of Durkeeville I think a couple more buttons popped off my shirt.

OCKLAWAHA

[civil42806]

Ock,  they have erected a historic marker on Lenox/old middleburg just before you get to Lane avenue, comemorating the skirmish at Cedar Creek

[chas1445]

Those seven brick bungaloes on Moncrief is the neighborhood that I grew up in.  It was an active section with families and children.  There was no sidewalks, or fences there then.  I was living there when I joined the army in 1952.  I have not lived in Jacksonville since then.  I still have family there.

[sheclown]

chas's bungalows