Urban Neighborhoods: Durkeeville

Durkeeville Historical Center

At the Durkeeville and Northwest Jacksonville Historical and Cultural Center - a shell-pink, one-story building nestled at Myrtle Avenue and 19th Street - children can find a laminated photo and article on Joseph Henry Durkee on the hallway wall.  Durkee, a Union Army captain who was a pallbearer at President Lincoln's funeral, founded Durkeeville when he settled in Jacksonville after the Civil War.

Pictures of Sallye B. Mathis and Mary Singleton, the first black women and Durkeeville denizens to be elected to the City Council, also are on display.

And a rare treasure reposes in the exhibit room.

In there, the life and times of John Jordan O'Neill, also known as "Buck," is on full display in a traveling exhibit on the Negro Baseball Leagues.  O'Neill, who once played for the Kansas City Monarchs as well as a number of other teams, was instrumental in getting recognition for the Negro Leagues, said Carolyn Williams, president of the Durkeeville Historical Society.

O'Neill got his education at Edward Waters College, as well as his other nickname, "Foots," because he had big hands and feet.  O'Neill also made several friends in Jacksonville, as the city had its own Negro Leagues team - the Jacksonville Red Caps.

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/080807/new_189444451.shtml

Jax Beer

Years ago, before companies like Busch and Coors dominated the beer industry, Jacksonville was the home of a popular brewery.  The Jax Brewing Company was located in Durkeeville and produced the popular brew, until selling its rights in 1956 to the famed Jackson Brewery in New Orleans.  Although operations ceased decades ago, the old Jax Brewing Company production plant still remains intact on W. 16th Street.

For more information:

Jax Beer: The Drink of Friendship
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/521

Residential Durkeeville

Like many of Jacksonville's more well known urban districts, Durkeeville contains an impressive portfolio of residential architectural structures.  The older sections of Durkeeville, south of 8th Street, are dominated by narrow lots with a wide mix of frame housing from the early 20th century.  The streets north of 8th tend to be dominated by brick housing from the mid 20th century, residing on larger parcels.