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Analysis and original reporting from the team behind The Jaxson, which is dedicated to urbanism and culture on the First Coast. The Jaxson explores the big issues facing Jacksonville in the modern era of urban growth, with a look at today's development in the context of yesterday's history. The Jaxson is a partnership of Modern Cities and WJCT Public Media.

the jaxson

Analysis and original reporting from the team behind The Jaxson, which is dedicated to urbanism and culture on the First Coast. The Jaxson explores the big issues facing Jacksonville in the modern era of urban growth, with a look at today's development in the context of yesterday's history. The Jaxson is a partnership of Modern Cities and WJCT Public Media.

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Defending Black History Month”

THE JAXSON | Defending Black History Month

Black History Month predates contemporary political terminology and was conceived during the Jim Crow era as a scholarly initiative, not…

By Jerry Urso

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Harry T. Moore’s time in Jacksonville”

February 18, 2026

THE JAXSON | Harry T. Moore’s time in Jacksonville

Harry T. Moore’s contributions to the civil rights movement were significantly shaped by his time in Jacksonville, especially at these…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 11 Black cultural heritage sites to visit in Jacksonville”

February 11, 2026

THE JAXSON | 11 Black cultural heritage sites to visit in Jacksonville

In honor of Black History Month, here are 11 historic Black cultural heritage destinations in Jacksonville to visit.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The Gullah Geechee roots of Jacksonville’s cuisine”

February 4, 2026

THE JAXSON | The Gullah Geechee roots of Jacksonville’s cuisine

In honor of Black History Month, here is the story behind six traditional Gullah Geechee-inspired meals in Jacksonville.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Inside LaVilla’s long-forgotten red-light district”

January 28, 2026

THE JAXSON | Inside LaVilla’s long-forgotten red-light district

Once home to more than 60 bordellos and popular madams Cora Crane, Belle Orloff and Lyda De Camp, here are…

By Ennis Davis and Adrienne Burke

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Shaped by water and time: Historic Oak Haven, Love Grove and Spring Glen”

January 20, 2026

THE JAXSON | Shaped by water and time: Historic Oak Haven, Love Grove and Spring Glen

Here are five facts about Oak Haven, Love Grove and Spring Glen.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | How Jacksonville’s underground arts scene survives”

January 14, 2026

THE JAXSON | How Jacksonville’s underground arts scene survives

The underground arts and culture scene beneath Jacksonville’s surface is a creature built for survival.…

By Jalicia Lewis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Burger King’s birthplace and 5 other things you didn’t know about Sans Souci”

January 7, 2026

THE JAXSON | Burger King’s birthplace and 5 other things you didn’t know about Sans Souci

Located six miles southeast of Downtown Jacksonville, Sans Souci is a mid-century community with an interesting story.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Fairfield: You’ve probably driven through it but never knew”

December 16, 2025

THE JAXSON | Fairfield: You’ve probably driven through it but never knew

Tucked along the western bank of the St. Johns River, just northeast of Downtown Jacksonville, the neighborhood of Fairfield holds…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 Jacksonville parks that don’t exist anymore”

December 9, 2025

THE JAXSON | 5 Jacksonville parks that don’t exist anymore

Here is a trip down memory lane, highlighting five early 20th century Jacksonville parks that don’t exist anymore.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 6 Historic North Riverside Photographs”

December 3, 2025

THE JAXSON | 6 Historic North Riverside Photographs

A photographic journey into the history of North Riverside, a neighborhood significantly affected by heavy industry and expressway construction.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The struggle to remove hate signs in Union County”

November 18, 2025

THE JAXSON | The struggle to remove hate signs in Union County

One woman shares her struggle trying to get swastikas removed from her Union County community. …

By Kelsi Hasden - The Jaxson

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Honoring Jacksonville’s pioneering colleges in National Career Development Month”

November 12, 2025

THE JAXSON | Honoring Jacksonville’s pioneering colleges in National Career Development Month

In recognition of National Career Development Month, we take a look back at the history of four pioneering institutions of…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “OPINION | Smaller than Jax, but I have rail: Lessons from Tucson’s Sun Link system”

November 5, 2025

OPINION | Smaller than Jax, but I have rail: Lessons from Tucson’s Sun Link system

As JTA’s Ultimate Urban Circulator faces growing scrutiny, it’s worth considering Tucson’s Sun Link, a thriving modern streetcar system in…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “JAXLORE | ‘Legend tripping’ on the First Coast”

October 29, 2025

JAXLORE | ‘Legend tripping’ on the First Coast

From Fernandina’s Wiccademous grave to Brooklyn’s famous Devil’s School, here’s a dive into four of the most famous local places…

By Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The architecture and legacy of J. Burnie Caine”

October 21, 2025

THE JAXSON | The architecture and legacy of J. Burnie Caine

In Jacksonville’s modern architecture story, John Burnie Caine is a living legend. I had the privilege of meeting Caine as…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 404 N. Julia St., a century later”

October 14, 2025

THE JAXSON | 404 N. Julia St., a century later

The Jaxson takes a brief look at the rise, fall and pending rebirth of Downtown’s Central National Bank Building at…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Andrew Patterson: LaVilla’s forgotten Civil Rights crusader”

October 8, 2025

THE JAXSON | Andrew Patterson: LaVilla’s forgotten Civil Rights crusader

Before Montgomery was the Civil Rights epicenter, a pastor on Ashley Street sat down on a Jacksonville streetcar, refused bail,…

By Jerry Urso

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The Legacy of the Boylan-Haven School ”

October 1, 2025

THE JAXSON | The Legacy of the Boylan-Haven School

A brief history and look at the legacy of the historic Eastside’s Boylan-Haven School.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The Maceo Elks Lodge No. 8: LaVilla’s Jewish and Black history link”

September 23, 2025

THE JAXSON | The Maceo Elks Lodge No. 8: LaVilla’s Jewish and Black history link

The Maceo Elks Lodge No. 8 is the last surviving institution in LaVilla connected to Jacksonville’s early Jewish community.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Viva Jax: Jacksonville’s Hispanic heritage”

September 16, 2025

THE JAXSON | Viva Jax: Jacksonville’s Hispanic heritage

Though less well known than those in South Florida or Tampa Bay, Jacksonville’s Hispanic community has roots that are hundreds…

By Bill Delaney and Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The history of Jacksonville’s North Shore neighborhood”

September 10, 2025

THE JAXSON | The history of Jacksonville’s North Shore neighborhood

North Shore remains a quiet, inviting neighborhood where distinctive architecture and a strong sense of place can still be enjoyed…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Black Jacksonville Collective debuts oral ‘Front Porch History’ project at Ritz ”

September 3, 2025

THE JAXSON | Black Jacksonville Collective debuts oral ‘Front Porch History’ project at Ritz

Front Porch History: Mapping Undiscovered Stories of Black Jacksonville, launching Sept. 4 at the Ritz Theatre & Museum, is an…

By Kelsi Hasden - The Jaxson

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Jacksonville’s oldest sandwich shops”

August 27, 2025

THE JAXSON | Jacksonville’s oldest sandwich shops

Jacksonville has long been recognized for its legacy sandwich shops and signature creations, including the Camel Rider, Steak-in-a-Sack, and the…

By Ennis Davis

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