Jacksonville Florida

Jacksonville at a Glance

Located in Northeast Florida, at the crossroads of two interstate highways, Jacksonville is the largest city in the contiguous United States in land area. It is a major port, the insurance and financial center of the state, site of U.S. Navy bases, and the home of the National Football League's Jacksonville Jaguars.

HISTORY

Prior to European arrival, the Jacksonville area was inhabited by First Nations tribes for about 6,000 years.

By the time of European exploration in the early 1500s, the Timucua tribe was the dominant culture.

In 1513, Spanish explorers claimed the land and began extensive missionary work. The French arrived around 1562 and began establishing settlements for French Huguenot settlers. The resulting conflict led to several forts being burnt and rebuilt over the next few decades.

By the end of the century, the Spanish had erected Fort San Nicolas, on the bank of the St Johns river. The site would grow into the Jacksonville district of St. Nicholas. It would be abandoned in the late 1600s.

In the mid 1700s, Britain took control of Florida, but would return it to Spain in 1783. Within a few years, a permanent settlement known as Cowford was established a few yards from Fort San Nicolas.

Florida became part of the United States in 1821, and soon after the settlement became known as Jacksonville, taking its name from the 7th President of the United States, Andrew Jackson. There is a memorial to Jackson in the city’s downtown.

Soon after Florida joined the United States, the town of Jacksonville became a major port.

In 1832, the town established its local government, due in large part to the efforts of founder Isaiah David Hart.

During the American Civil War, Jacksonville supported the Confederate army with supplies and soldiers, in spite of a US Navy blockade of its port based trade routes. The city was taken by Union forces, following a battle at nearby St John’s Bluff in 1862. By the end of the war, the city suffered heavily, even though no major battle took place within the city limits.

Following the war, the city began to rebuild and reinvent itself. These efforts drew the attention of the wealthier class, who made Jacksonville a winter resort destination. Several hotels and resorts sprang up, creating a new industry for the city.

As the railroad extended south towards Miami, this trend began to wane. This situation was made worse when Yellow Fever broke out in the late 1880s, claiming hundreds of lives and infecting thousands. The panic stricken population began to flee the city.

In an effort to boost its fading appeal, Jacksonville hosted the 1888 Subtropical Exposition, which provided a much needed revival in tourism.

When Cuba began fighting for independence from Spain, future State governor Napoleon Broward took an active role in shipping arms to Cuba. While it is generally believed that Broward stopped his filibustering when President McKinley declared war on Spain in 1898, the new industry continued throughout the Spanish-American War, and the city became a prominent port for the shipping of illegal arms to revolutionaries.

In 1901, downtown Jacksonville was devastated by a fire. While only seven lives were lost, thousands were left homeless. Martial Law was declared, and the militia was sent in to restore order.

The Great Fire drew the attention of several entrepreneurial minds, and the city began to rebuild with a modern “flair.” The city now boasts the largest number of surviving “Prairie Style” buildings in the country.

In 1901, Brewster Hospital was founded as the only all black hospital in the city. The hospital remained in operation until the Civil Rights Act opened all hospitals to all residents, and Brewster closed. In 1976, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

In the early 20th century, as the New York based motion picture industry began looking for warmer winter locations, Jacksonville began to attract more visitors and a new economy. The state was known for excellent transportation and low wages, and in 1908, Kalem Studios opened a branch in the city. The studio was known for innovation and chances, producing the first adaptations of several popular works like Ben Hur and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Canadian actress, motion picture legend and future United Artists co-founder Mary Pickford joined the studio, producing several films from 1913 on.

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens opened in 1914 as the Municipal Zoo, becoming the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens after extensive renovation and expansion during the 1990s.

Within a few years, the African American film industry also made a home in Jacksonville. Local politics and the rise of Hollywood, however, claimed the hearts of the film industry, and the appeal of Florida waned.

The Florida Theatre opened in 1927, and is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

The historic Ritz Theatre opened in 1929, catering to African American entertainment. The theatre has hosted entertainers from Duke Ellington to Ray Charles.

The city did grow considerably, and the trend continued following the departure of cinema, due to the low costs and steady growth found throughout the state. Jacksonville prospered as the population grew. The city became known as the Gateway to Florida.

The growth prompted the development of the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville in 1924, as the Jacksonville Fine Arts Society.

The Hotel George Washington opened in 1926 as a luxury retreat. The hotel became so popular that an auditorium was added in 1941, the largest venue in the city. The hotel was demolished in 1973.

In 1934, future pop icon Pat Boone was borne in Jacksonville.

With the onset of the Second World War, Jacksonville once again became an important port city. The Navy came to town in 1940, establishing the Naval Air Station Jacksonville, training 20,000 men.

Cecil Field was established in 1941. It was men stationed at this base that discovered missiles in Cuba, which led directly to the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. The base closed in 1999.

Cinema returned to the city in 1954, with the filming of the Creature from the Black Lagoon, using innovative 3-D technology.

Also in 1941, the Jacksonville Children’s Museum opened in a Victorian mansion. It moved to its current home in 1969, and became the Museum of Science and History in 1988.

Naval Station Mayport opened in 1942. The base is still in operation, employing an estimated 14,000 residents.

Following the war, the air force established the Blue Angels, as a national air defense demonstration team. The Blue Angels are the world’s first, and oldest, military based aerial demonstration organization. By the end of the decade, the Angels were known around the world. In 1951, they moved to Corpus Christie, Texas.

In 1952, Bishop Kenny High School opened on the site of the Spanish Fort San Nicolas.

The population grew considerably as a direct result of the military bases, and by the mid 20th century more than half of the city’s residents were employed or related to someone in the military. This growth is seen as a major influence on the construction of the international airport, which opened in 1968. The airport now processes more than six million travelers annually.

Racial tensions resurfaced in 1960, when several men suspected of being members of the KKK attacked civil rights protesters.

The popular Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens opened in 1961. The oldest of its gardens dates back to 1903.

In 1934, Jacksonville founded the Jacksonville University as William J. Porter University (the name changed to Jacksonville University in 1956).

In 1962, a massive cantilever bridge spanning the St Johns River opened in honor of Isaiah Hart.

In 1963, a fire at the historic Roosevelt Hotel, formerly the Carling Hotel, claimed 22 lives in what is considered the worst fire since the Great Fire of 1901. The fire is believed to have started from faulty wiring in the ballroom ceiling. The hotel closed in 1964, and after extensive renovation is now an upscale apartment house known as the Carling. It was registered with the national Register of Historic Places in 1991.

Following the Civil Rights Act of 1964, racial integration brought previously segregated communities together. Racial tensions remained strong, and several students suffered violent outbursts at schools.

Hurricane Dora struck a blow to the city in 1964, causing millions of dollars damage and a blackout that lasted nearly one week. In spite of the damage, 20,000 residents attended a concert performance by music legends The Beatles at the Jacksonville Memorial Municipal Stadium. The winds remained so strong, that it is said drummer Ringo Starr’s drum set was nailed to the floor. When Hurricane Floyd struck the Bahamas in 1999, a total of 80,000 residents evacuated the city, though the hurricane turned north and the city was spared.

In 1983, the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum opened as the world’s largest private collection library of documents.

The Alexander Brest Planetarium opened in 1988, in the Museum of Science and History.

The Gate River Run, a national championship race, began in 1994, and is now one of the largest of its kind in the country.

The LaVilla Museum opened in 1999, exploring the history of African Americans in Florida.

Towards the new millennium, Jacksonville began settling its social issues and looking to the future. The city was growing, and it quickly became the largest in the state (fast approaching the country’s top ten). As billions of dollars are invested in the city’s growth, Jacksonville began instigating major projects (the JTA Skyway monorail opened in 1989, the Bank of America Tower opened in 1990 as the tallest skyscraper in the city), and hosting major international events (such as the 39th Super Bowl in 2005).

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Power: 120 V, 60 Hz

Languages: English

Climate: Jacksonville enjoys a subtropical climate, humid during the summer, with temperatures climbing as high as 115 Fahrenheit. Some travelers describe the air as like wearing a warm, wet blanked around town, so mini fans are popular. The warm ocean winds and heavy humidity often lead to thunderstorms and hurricanes.

During the winter months, temperatures drop considerably, often reaching below freezing (as low as 7 Fahrenheit (about -14 Celsius). As such, streets can ice over at night, making morning travel hazardous. Snow is rare, and usually melts before hitting the ground.

Currency: US Dollar

Time Zone: EST (UTC-5) - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)

STATISTICS

The City of Jacksonville ranks as the 14th largest city in the United States in population, with more than 800,000 residents.

The Jacksonville metropolitan area, which includes three beach cities and Clay, Baker, Nassau, and St. Johns counties, has a population of more than 1,000,000 residents.

Jacksonville covers 841 square miles (217,559 hectares).

Joint management agreements with national and state park services give Jacksonville the largest urban park system in the United States.

Travel Information

Jacksonville International Airport (JIA) is 15 minutes from downtown by car. It is served by 15 major and regional airlines that offer 250 daily flights to and from most major cities in the country and is an international gateway.

By air, Jacksonville is ...