A Walk Down Herschel Street

[Metro Jacksonville]

A Walk Down Herschel Street



The commercial strip along Herschel developed as a result of the streetcar line that was extended through the corridor to provide service to Ortega in 1908. Today, this strip of Herschel is known for its mix of restaurants, offices, galleries and retail boutiques.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-sep-a-walk-down-herschel-street

[billy]

Goalpost still open?
Also, wasn't there a redevelopment proposal along Fishweir Creek?

[thelakelander]

A 21 story, 216 unit condominium tower along with 20,000 square feet of retail. - Dead

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2008-oct-results-of-the-boom-dead-projects

[fsu813]

i don't think anyone uses the name "Fairfax" anymore.

I've heard Avondale, Westside, Roosevelt, & Fishwier......but not Fairfax. interesting.

[riverside_mail]

Wasn't that supposed to replace the Commander Apts?

[TREE4309]

Yes, Goal Post is still open.  Mmmmm, steak in a sack.

[TREE4309]

Also, I consider the Fairfax area Avondale, but that's probably inaccurate.

[thelakelander]

Wasn't that supposed to replace the Commander Apts?

Yes, the Commander Apts and the two story retail/office complex (St. Johns Village) on Fishweir Creek.  As a part of the plan, a roundabout was also proposed for the intersection of St. Johns Avenue and Herschel just north of the creek.

[thelakelander]

Also, I consider the Fairfax area Avondale, but that's probably inaccurate.

Its officially outside of the historic district.  We only used the name "Fairfax" because that is still what it is officially identified by.  Nevertheless, I agree that a name change may be in order.

[Captain Zissou]

I'm pretty mad that the Commander Apartment building still stands. That proposal was awesome.  These pictures were taken at a rare high tide.  Usually fishweir is shallow enough for even non-wading birds to be out in the middle.  Any chance we'll see pictures of the rest of the length of Herschel?? It's an awesome street and goes through some pretty diverse areas until it runs into Mossfire Grill in 5 points.

[JeffreyS]

Is the dead project the marina where herschel becomes lake shore?  The sign is still on the street.

[Ocklawaha]

The width of Herschel Street serves as a reminder of its days as a streetcar thoroughfare.

I'm not sure Lake, that East of Herschel "green space" is shouting JACKSONVILLE TRACTION, as you know from our old photo searches, JTCO kept off the streets anywhere it was possible. btw, That right of way is not unlike the one that came into Edgewood Village down the west side of the railroad.

Wonder if we could find a map of the era. USGS 15 Min series between 1910-1930, they show streetcar lines with a cross hatch down the center of the roads. 

OCKLAWAHA

[thelakelander]

I guess I was too literal.  I meant the width of the public ROW.  That would include the street, sidewalks, diagonal parking and the linear greenspace.

[Ocklawaha]

i don't think anyone uses the name "Fairfax" anymore.

I've heard Avondale, Westside, Roosevelt, & Fishwier......but not Fairfax. interesting.

For about 100 years, the streetcar and bus destination curtains had "Fairfax" on them, including the old 70 Naval Air, that served Ortega. A lot newbie reporters out there talk about driving trains, or in the trains cockpit... Its a case of not hanging on to our heritage. Nobody "drives" a train (in the USA) and a cockpit is on an airplane. Locomotives, streetcars, LRT, any rail vehicle uses the word "Cab". Fairfax was a streetcar boom "town" and if you follow St. Johns around that sweeping curve, you start smelling STREETCAR. Also a St. Johns and Roosevelt is one of the classic Jacksonville Traction red brick cube type substation. But it looks like tracks NEVER went down St. Johns... Weird.

Let's keep it FAIRFAX.

OCKLAWAHA

[Ocklawaha]

I guess I was too literal.  I meant the width of the public ROW.  That would include the street, sidewalks, diagonal parking and the linear greenspace.

Not trying to be nit picky but we need to show the city that these beautiful beasts don't need streets, in fact they play better when left alone. This photo is one of many we have found that show Jacksonville Traction on it's own right-of-way. This one is Kings Avenue. Note it's in the grass and still has double track and landscaping.

OCKLAWAHA