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We've decided to team up with professional freelance photographer Nomeus to share the stories behind 15 historically-significant and forgotten landmarks in Jacksonville.
We'll cover each landmark from the day it opened to the day it closed, and ponder each's future going forward in the 21st century. For example, we'll go as far as exposing Jacksonville's connection with St. Louis' notorious "Dutch Act", explore the history behind a 100-year-old ice cream factory in downtown's forgotten red light district, and detail the lifeline of a major steel foundry that will prove some city records may not be as accurate as currently imagined.
Our hope is that we'll be able to share a hidden, overlooked side of Jacksonville's story to a market that may not be as familiar with the website as our most dedicated readers. Our goal is that a little extra exposure could lead to the preservation, restoration and repurposing of a couple of these landmarks before they become Jacksonville's next surface parking lots. Our tentative plan is to release the final product in Spring 2012.
We asked our readers to suggest a potential title that best describes the general subject matter, and 13 names were submitted. To narrow down the selection process, the submitted titles have been set up to allow our readers to vote for three finalists for consideration:
In the Dark. In the Light. Jacksonville.
Jacksonville Lost (and Found)
Jacksonville: Abandoned and Reclaimed
Forgotten Jacksonville
The Lost City of Jacksonville
Jacksonville: The City that Was
Jacksonville Forgotten but Not Gone: Historic landmarks in the River City by the Sea
Jacksonville "The Lost Old City of the South"
Jacksonville's Crumbling History: Forgotten Landmarks
Jacksonville: Unfulfilled dreams, plans, and expectations
Jacksonville: From Out of the Ashes, a Phoenix Shall Rise
Slumber: A journey into Jacksonville's forgotten glory
Jacksonville: In The Shadows
Article by Ennis Davis.
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dougskiles
January 13, 2012, 06:18:23 AMWhere was the steel foundry? Any remnants of it?
thelakelander
January 13, 2012, 07:59:36 AMThe foundry is located behind JTA at 1375 West Church St. Half of it was demolished last month. Only the office, steel fabrication plant, and 1920s era machine shop remain.
billy
January 13, 2012, 08:34:01 AM"Oh, The Places You'll Destroy"
Wacca Pilatka
January 13, 2012, 08:34:10 AMForgotten but not gone is my choice for the title. Realistic about neglect, but with a note of hope at the end.
KenFSU
January 13, 2012, 08:55:43 AMForgotten Jacksonville
Jacksonville's Crumbling History: Forgotten Landmarks
The Lost City of Jacksonville
dougskiles
January 13, 2012, 09:04:14 AMCity GIS site indicates 1375 West Church Street LLC bought it in August 2011 for $1,375,000. Any idea as to what they are proposing? Will they be demolishing the remainder?
I would love to find some old steel industrial facility in Jacksonville to convert to an artists studio similar to the Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham.
http://www.slossfurnaces.com/
I took a metal arts class there last summer.
You can see the original blower from the late 1800's in the background for the furnace.
They have classes several times a month for welding, casting, and other metal arts.
But, with over $1 million invested by someone in the purchase, not likely they would turn it over to a bunch of artists like what Easton did at CoRK.
thelakelander
January 13, 2012, 09:11:56 AMIts being converted into a scrap processing facility. The steel fab plant and office are being renovated now. I'm hoping they keep the machine shop. Its a pretty cool brick building with large windows.
jcjohnpaint
January 13, 2012, 09:24:44 AMStill my favorite is:
In the Dark. In the Light. Jacksonville.
Not stating it is the end like Lost Jacksonville, but has quite a punch.
Again, congrats- can't wait to buy it!
thelakelander
January 13, 2012, 09:39:35 AMDoug, here is an image of the interior of the foundry's brick machine shop.
By the way, a group of people just opened something similar to what you describe in the old Union Terminal warehouse near Old City Cemetery:
http://www.jaxhax.org/
JeffreyS
January 13, 2012, 09:48:31 AMI like
Jacksonville: Abandoned and Reclaimed
Jacksonville Forgotten but Not Gone: Historic landmarks in the River City by the Sea
Jacksonville "The Lost Old City of the South"
and
Is a good one but too negative to get people to buy.
Tacachale
January 13, 2012, 09:49:18 AM"Jacksonville Forgotten but Not Gone: Historic landmarks in the River City by the Sea" is my top vote, because I came up with it. My second choice is "Slumber: a journey into Jacksonville's forgotten glory".
fieldafm
January 13, 2012, 09:53:31 AMThis is the 'hacker space' you guys kept talking about?
That Jaxhax space is really cool... right on the banks of Hogans Creek, btw. An extended Hogans Creek Greenway in that area would be served well with some cool art structures
thelakelander
January 13, 2012, 10:01:11 AMYes, that's the space. That building is a great potential tie in with the creek and a natural connection piece between the Eastside and creek.
dougskiles
January 13, 2012, 10:39:41 AMI definitely need to check that out. Thanks for the tip. I wonder if they have opportunities for setting up a forge. I've been wanting to build one in my back yard, but I haven't been able to get domestic approval yet.
Wacca Pilatka
January 13, 2012, 11:28:02 AMI love that building. Thanks for sharing the news on it.
dougskiles
January 13, 2012, 01:16:22 PMInteresting article on why we are attracted to images of ruined places. I promise, even though the words in the link suggest otherwise, the actual article doesn't having anything to do with pornography.
http://www.theatlanticcities.com/design/2012/01/psychology-ruin-porn/886/
tufsu1
January 13, 2012, 01:33:18 PMas the person who half-jokingly suggested the title in the first place, I would like to amend
Jacksonville Lost (and Found)
to
Jacksonville Lost....and Found
RockStar
January 13, 2012, 01:44:13 PMJacksonville: In the Shadows sounds the most intriguing.
In general, they all sound pretty depressing.
What about:
Jacksonville: Lost Beauty Uncovered....
Anyway...good luck with the book. Can't wait to check it out. Funny enough, I put out a book about Jacksonville on my coffee table in the lounge at DG and someone stole it...but not the Alberto Vargas book of pin up girls...um ok.
fieldafm
January 13, 2012, 02:02:30 PMI've 'browsed the articles' in that book while at Dos a time or two
Timkin
January 13, 2012, 04:45:06 PMI chose Jacksonville's Crumbling History first, Slumber second, Abandoned and reclaimed 3rd. All are good titles .
Btw... Painted columns and over tagging on front and Chelsea side of #4 yesterday. I'm sure in no time , the tagging will be replaced.
Cannot wait to see the finished product !!
buckethead
January 13, 2012, 06:42:07 PMFrom futility to fabulous: The future history of Jacksonville.
iloveionia
January 13, 2012, 08:10:03 PMForgotten Jacksonville.
What 15 sites did you decide on?
I'm ready to pre-purchase.
Timkin
January 13, 2012, 09:42:07 PMI am too
Timkin
January 16, 2012, 02:06:44 AMIn Light of the fact that someone finally destroyed School #4 by setting the Auditorium on fire (second time in two weeks now) it may not be necessary to include it in the book.
Many in this community have been chomping at the bit, so to speak to see the school demolished.
I am sure now those of you will get your way.
civil42806
January 16, 2012, 10:05:35 AMJacksonville Architecutal Heritage?
thelakelander
January 16, 2012, 10:12:27 AMAlready used:
http://www.jaxhistory.com/book.htm
Also, the theme extends beyond architecture. A few sites, such as Florida Machine & Foundry and Gateway Shopping Center are nothing special when it comes to architecture.
nomeus
January 17, 2012, 04:00:15 PMAwesome!!
JeffreyS
January 17, 2012, 04:31:52 PMIs this the final vote or are you going to pair it down to the contenders?
nomeus
January 17, 2012, 04:41:51 PMWould be a shame to not include PS4 in the book just because of another fire. It is very important for the book just as it is an important part of Jax history. Even if it was turned into a dirt lot today, it would be just as important, if not more.
thelakelander
January 17, 2012, 05:03:07 PMI don't plan on the Annie Lytle going anywhere.
I'm going to see where the numbers stand on Friday but I'm contemplating possibly combining the top two or three in a manner where there is a title and a subtitle.
Kirstie
January 17, 2012, 05:30:07 PMJacksonville: In The Shadows
For ever, for everyone.
billy
January 17, 2012, 06:30:43 PMTown Without Pity
Debbie Thompson
February 01, 2012, 08:40:30 AMJacksonville Lost and Found has an intriguing title. It doesn't give away too much about what the book is about, so people who would not normally pick up a book with "landmarks" in the title may pick it up to read the blurb or cover, and you have a chance to interest them. Anything with crumbling in the title is a downer, IMO. If historic preservation is the aim, I wouldn't think crumbling is how you want to characterize the buildings. :-)
Timkin
February 01, 2012, 03:35:58 PMAgree Debbie... Wish we could get our City Management to get it as well and stop demolishing everything.
I keep hearing some say "we can't save them all. " We by no means have. Not even close. We have razed most of them.
I used crumbling in my suggestion ,because that is the way I see it. These structures are crumbling from neglect, abandonment, vandalism, arson, the list goes on.
YET.......... Strip malls and Urban sprawl continue out of control. In our downtown ,we are now graced with a monstrosity of a Courthouse (what style would you call it,,,,Glass Palace Concrete revival? ) At a stunning price tag , NONE of us alive will ever live to see paid off. But we cannot spare these few remaining landmarks.
Millions will be spent , eventually razing our current Courthouse and replacing it with something.. While the Laura Trio continues to crumble.
Genovar's and the 3 shot gun houses.... wow I'm surprised they are even there still.
Brewster Hospital.. Mostly refurbed....and standing empty. Just brilliant.
And Annie Lytle. The only hope that place has is if the community brainstorms and happens to be lucky enough to identify a use and a source to make sparing it possible..
THIS is why I used 'Crumbling' as my suggestion in the title. It is completely true, whether or not it is chosen. We can use any title we want ,but IMO the only way any or all of these landmarks will be spared is if the community finds a way. City management for decades, has found the means to destroy , not preserve.. it is not in their dictionary. They do not know the meaning.