Bill Delaney The Jaxson email
Bill Delaney is a writer whose work focuses on the history and culture of the First Coast. He currently serves as City Council liaison for Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. He is co-owner and editor of The Jaxson, Modern Cities, and Edible Northeast Florida magazine, and author of the book Secret Jacksonville: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from the University of North Florida. Reach Bill at wdelaney@moderncities.com.
Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 6 stories from Jacksonville’s LGBTQ history”
June 5, 2024

THE JAXSON | 6 stories from Jacksonville’s LGBTQ history

From Timucua two-spirits to bisexual blues musicians to today’s River City Pride, Jacksonville has a storied LGBTQ history.…

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March 26, 2024

THE JAXSON | 4 influential Jacksonville women of the 19th century

In honor of Women’s History Month, here are four women who were influential in Jacksonville during the 19th century.…

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January 16, 2024

OPINION | Changing the urban landscape in 2024

In 2024, here are four trends that could permanently change urban Jacksonville for the better.…

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October 24, 2023

THE JAXSON | Jaxlore: The ‘humanzee’ of Orange Park

Orange Park was once home to one of the largest chimpanzee research centers, birthing the strange legend that a “humanzee”…

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August 1, 2023

THE JAXSON | The story of the Downtown Southbank

Now considered part of Downtown Jacksonville, the waterfront district between the St. Johns River and I-95 has a deceptively long…

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July 11, 2023

OPINION | Downtown revival: Crafting a plan for city-owned properties

Here’s a look at a few key Downtown properties that, with a little vision, could serve as catalysts to boost…

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June 27, 2023

THE JAXSON | 5 sites from LGBTQ history in Jax’s Urban Core

Jacksonville’s LGBTQ history has always been rich and colorful, if often overlooked. Here’s a tour of five sites across the…

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June 6, 2023

OPINION | 4 common-sense ways to revitalize Downtown Jacksonville

Here are four proven, relatively simple, common-sense suggestions to spark revival without relying on huge budgets and massive new developments.…

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May 30, 2023

THE JAXSON | 5 stories from Jacksonville’s hamburger history

From the first ever Burger King to long-gone local chains, here’s a look at five burger facts from Jacksonville history.…

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May 16, 2023

THE JAXSON | Jaxlore: The lost city of Ossachite

Many books and articles on local history feature the Timucua town of Ossachite. There’s just one problem: It never existed.…

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May 2, 2023

OPINION | The Ford plant demolition shows a dearth of vision

The debate over demolishing the old Ford plant in Talleyrand missed a key point: It wasn’t demolish or reuse. It…

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April 25, 2023

6 lost towns within Jacksonville’s borders

Some of the neighborhoods that now make Jacksonville were once towns in their own right. Here’s the story of 6…

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April 4, 2023

THE JAXSON | The 10-year saga of the Fuller Warren pedestrian path

A decade ago, concerned residents demanded a better transportation solution. As a result, the Fuller Warren Bridge shared-use path opens…

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March 28, 2023

OPINION | The YIMBY case for historic preservation

In much writing about urban development, the pro-density Yes In My Backyard movement and historic preservation are often presented as…

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March 21, 2023

THE JAXSON | 5 women’s history sites and stories in Jacksonville

In honor of Women’s History Month, here are a few sites and stories associated with women who transformed our community…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Lenny’s Lawn: A 4-year retrospective”
March 14, 2023

THE JAXSON | Lenny’s Lawn: A 4-year retrospective

Here’s a look back at the decisions that led to “Lenny’s Lawn” and what the future may hold for the…

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February 28, 2023

THE JAXSON | Jacksonville’s signature foods

Jax food: The comprehensive list of Jacksonville’s signature dishes.…

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February 21, 2023

THE JAXSON | 6 facts about LaVilla you should know

In honor of Black History Month, here’s a look at six stories from LaVilla’s past that deserve to be better…

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Image: Courtesy of Toho Co., Ltd.; photoshop by Doug Henning
January 31, 2023

OPINION | Jax’s Godzilla strategy of urban development

Demolishing existing buildings in hopes that flashy new ones will replace them doesn’t work. It’s time to change gears.…

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January 24, 2023

OPINION | Changing the urban landscape in 2023

2023 could be a year of big change for Jacksonville’s urban core. Here’s a look at five trends to watch…

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December 20, 2022

THE JAXSON | Waterfront parks: 5 models for Jacksonville

Downtown Jacksonville boasts one of the most beautiful waterfronts in the country, but historically, our public space along it hasn’t…

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Jacksonville City Hall
December 13, 2022

OPINION | 4 myths about Jacksonville’s city government

Jacksonville City Hall provides no shortage of things to criticize, but there are some common complaints that don’t stand up…

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November 29, 2022

THE JAXSON | Your tabletop Christmas Village is illegal under modern zoning laws

You may think your miniature Christmas Village is a quaint tribute to the building traditions of yesteryear. However, its walkable,…

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The first Thanksgivings on the First Coast”
Fort Caroline under construction. Engraving by Theodor de Bry, said to be based on a lost original painting by Jacques le Moyne.
November 22, 2022

THE JAXSON | The first Thanksgivings on the First Coast

Five decades before the Pilgrims celebrated their feast at Plymouth, Massachusetts, French and Spanish colonists held feasts of celebration on…