5 Places That Existed Then That Are Better Now

1. Renessenz


Glidden Company organic chemicals division plant during the 1960s. Here Turpentine is converted through chemistry into fine flavor chemicals, which are formerly obtained only from natural oils. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory, http://floridamemory.com/items/show/38634

This longtime local chemical plant was founded in 1910 as the Standard Turpentine Company. At that time, the site was a rural location north of Jacksonville. Things would change after the original Norwood plat was filed in 1912 and rapid growth in the area during the 1930s and 1940s.


it was built in a rather rural site; as the city had yet to really develop around it. Over the years the chemical plant has had various owners and legal troubles. For many decades, it was a major contributor to the notion of Jacksonville being known as the “city that stinks” and "Florida's Armpit". Since a 1980s crack down on odor emissions by Mayor Tommy Hazouri, investments were made in advanced technology to control the release of foul sulfuric odors in the manufacturing process.

Today, the 105-year-old plant is still alive and well, employing over 150 workers making over 20,000 tons of flavors and fragrances annually. Acquired by TorQuest partners and renamed Renessenz, LLC. in 2010, the company is the leading producer of terpene based aroma chemicals, exporting huge quantities of fragrances and flavors worldwide.  




Article by Kristen Pickrell.