Print ArticleDowntown isn't the only neighborhood in town that's interesting. Here's eight facts about the beaches that you probably didn't already know.
8. Revolt forms Neptune Beach 
The Beaches Town Center area in 1918. Courtesy of http://www.historicaltextarchive.com/sections.php?action=read&artid=447
Neptune Beach was originally part of Jacksonville Beach. Neptune Beach’s history dates back to 1922, when a local named Dan Wheeler, built himself a train station. Wheeler had a home in what is now Atlantic Beach, and would have to walk all the way from Mayport each day. Wheeler’s friend in the railroad industry told him that if he built his own station, the trains would have to stop there. He nicknamed it “Neptune.”
This portion of the beach succeeded in 1931, and was named after this little train stop. The people of Neptune beach separated from the rest of the beach during the tax revolt. Times had gotten hard due to a land book collapse and as a result, tax revenue had dropped. The people of what would be known as Neptune felt that they were paying taxes and not getting commensurate benefits. They won the vote to separate 113 to 31. 
Downtown Neptune Beach after WWII. Courtesy of http://www.historicaltextarchive.com/sections.php?action=read&artid=447
Article by Kristen Pickrell and Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Kristen at kpickrell@metrojacksonville.com. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com
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