Jacksonville’s historic spaces offer no shortage of secrets and local folklore, and Evergreen Cemetery, the city’s oldest active cemetery, is no exception. Here’s a look at the ghost stories attached to this venerable burial ground. Founded in 1880, Evergreen Cemetery is Jacksonville’s oldest cemetery still in operation. The 167-acre site is the final resting place of 14 Jacksonville mayors, five
Downtown Jacksonville is home to the region’s tallest buildings, featuring nearly 8 million square feet of commercial space and more than 2 million square feet of government buildings. An additional 539,000 square feet of office space is either under construction or nearing completion. Florida’s fourth-largest downtown office market behind Miami, Tampa and Orlando is also home to three Fortune 500
Oysters have been a staple of First Coast diets for thousands of years, although local oyster harvesting ceased in 1994 due to pollution. The rise of new oyster houses in San Marco and the Downtown Southbank shows that interest in this savory bivalve delicacy hasn’t waned — could it help spark a long-awaited rebirth of the Jacksonville oyster industry? Oysters
The history and heritage of Jacksonville’s many Gullah Geechee descendants have been largely overlooked, with little recognition given to the community. According to the Gullah Geechee Heritage Corridor Commission, the Gullah Geechee are descendants of Central and West Africans who were enslaved and brought to the Americas from the late 1600s to 1866, bringing with them traditional foodways, customs, arts,
Although it hasn’t always been accessible or maintained, Exchange Club Island is an official city park and one of Jacksonville’s unique urban spaces. Here’s a dive into the colorful history of the accidental island beneath the Mathews Bridge. An accidental island More than 50,000 people drive over one of Jacksonville’s most singular parks every day without ever realizing it. Officially
Founded in 1822, Jacksonville is home to 107 properties and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Of this number, seven are officially recognized as National Register historic districts. The most recent addition, the campus of Edward Waters University, was listed on the National Register on Aug. 8th of this year. Here is a look into the history
The new federal Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program offers cities funding for projects that restore neighborhoods split and disrupted by highways in the mid-20th Century. Several projects from Jacksonville would be a perfect fit for the grant, but the city would have to move quickly to meet the Oct. 13th deadline. Will Jacksonville apply, or will the city miss out on
Jacksonville and the rest of the First Coast are home to some of the best, most accessible beaches in a state known for them – and we’ve still got weeks to enjoy them in all their summer glory. From unique geological features to lesser-known history to the birth of Florida’s favorite bike, here are six stories from our local beaches.
Industrial tourism — visiting places linked to the industries most common in a particular place — is a growing interest among travelers. It could be tailor-made for Jacksonville, where diverse industries like shipping, lumber, coffee, cigars and many more have shaped our history and heritage. What is industrial tourism? While internationally known for tourism, according to the First Coast Manufacturers
The Jacksonville City Council is debating the Keep Our Families Together Act, which would allow accessory dwelling units — garage apartments, detached suites, etc. — to be built in more neighborhoods. Here’s why it’s exactly the kind of thing local leaders should be pursuing to help fight the housing crisis. What are ADUs? Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a term
