Print ArticleIn the first half of the 20th century, the area that is known as East Bay Street today, was almost wholly industrial- and maritime- related. With the railroad and wharves paralleling a block south, along the riverfront, many firms took advantage of Bay Street's easy access to the St. Johns River. The most important industry during this era was shipbuilding and repair. With the rise of free trade, deindustrialization, and a movement to clean up the downtown waterfront, many industries began to leave the area in the mid-20th century. Although a number of historic warehouses, factories and wharves were left and available for other uses, the majority have been demolished in the later half of the 20th century. With the push to cluster entertainment uses in this section of downtown and the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission's (JEDC) desire to brand the corridor "The E-Town zone," Metro Jacksonville takes a look into the district's past.
East Forsyth Street: The Great White Way & Theatre District
As a part of the JEDC's legislation to expand the boundaries of the "E-Town Zone", parts of East Forsyth and Adams Streets have been included. While East Bay's proximity to the river led to it becoming maritime-oriented, during the first half of the 20th Century Forsyth Street developed into Jacksonville's version of Manhattan's "Great White Way". Today, the Florida Theater is all that remains of a theatre district that once had as many as twelve theatres within compact walking distance.
(Lost Jacksonville: The Theater District http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-sep-lost-jacksonville-the-theater-district)
Old city hall in 1903 at the corner of Forsyth and Ocean Streets. This building was demolished for the Haydon Burns Library.
The Florida Theatre and its staff in 1933.
The Palace (left) and Imperial (right) Theatres at the corner of Forsyth and Ocean in 1923. Today, a two-level, metal parking deck occupies this block.
The Title & Trust Company Building built in 1929 still remains on the corner of Forsyth and Newnan Streets.
The McMurray Livery, Sale & Transfer Company building at 220 East Forsyth Street.
This building is a pleasant reminder of the days when horses and carriages were the primary means of transportation in Jacksonville. The McMurray Livery, Sale & Transfer Company was established in 1880 by Thomas McMurray, an Irishman. He came to Jacksonville as a Union soldier in 1864, and he remained here as Chief Deputy U. S. Marshall, a post that he held for eleven years. His original livery stable was on the corner of Forsyth and Newnan Streets, where he had a lively trade renting and selling carriages and horses. This business burned in the 1901 Fire, and a new stable was rebuilt on the same site. The livery business prospered with the post-Fire building boom in this city; and in 1905 McMurray Livery, Sale & Transfer Company purchased this present site for expansion purposes. This building was constructed the following year, serving as a carriage showroom, blacksmith shop, and stable for horses.http://www.jaxhistory.com/Jax Arch Herit/D-48.htm
Over the years, as the increasing number of automobiles in Jacksonville helped bring about the demise of the livery business, this property was sold and was variously used as a plumber's shop, a printing company, a gas station, and a garage. In 1972 architect William Morgan purchased the former livery stable and restored its facade to the original configuration. Its interior now houses professional offices and a parking garage. The east wall of this structure marks the approximate location where Jacksonville founder Isaiah D. Hart built his log cabin when he came to Cow Ford in 1821.
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