Merian Caldwell Cooper was born in Jacksonville on October 24, 1893. He was the youngest of the three children of John C. Cooper, an attorney, and the former Mary Caldwell. The family lived at 334 East Monroe Street between Market and Liberty streets. He was only 7 ½ years old when the Great Fire of 1901 roared through town and destroyed just about everything, including his family's home. This cataclysmic event left a big impression on the young boy. After the Fire, his family rebuilt their home one block away at 326 E. Market Street across from St. Johns Cathedral. He lived there and attended Duval High School. This was just about the time the silent movie industry was in its heyday in Jacksonville, and this exposure to the glamour and excitement of movie making also had a profound influence on him. He went on to become one of the greatest adventurers this city and perhaps this country have ever known. Not to mention being the father of a 30-foot-tall gorilla.
Wow, you learn something new everyday.
Why isn't his home a historical site? Why wasn't the "Cooper Aviation and Film Museum" created here in Jax already? This city can"t miss out on these PR opportunities if it wants to attract more growth and prominence, especially in the tourist department.
His home (326 Market), like most built 100 years ago in downtown has been demolished. As for a "Cooper Aviation and Film Museum", I guess it goes along with our promotion of Ray Charles, Philip Randolph (Chicago built a museum in remembrance of him) and James Weldon Johnson, along with others. Jacksonville has a unique history, but we've failed to take advantage of any of it.
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