$\"logo\"/$ The Jaxson on Jacksonville Today

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 on Jacksonville Today

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 | Jaxlore: Annie Lytle Elementary, ‘The Devil’s School’”

THE JAXSON | Jaxlore: Annie Lytle Elementary, ‘The Devil’s School’

The former Annie Lytle Elementary School by I-95 between Riverside and Brooklyn has long had a reputation as the “most…

By Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 3 surviving factory buildings from Jax’s Cuban cigar-making era”

October 16, 2024

THE JAXSON | 3 surviving factory buildings from Jax’s Cuban cigar-making era

By 1895, Jacksonville was home to thousands of Cuban immigrants and 15 cigar manufacturing companies.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 9 historic Durkeeville photographs”

October 8, 2024

THE JAXSON | 9 historic Durkeeville photographs

During the early 20th century, the greater Durkeeville community became a segregation-era hub of Black culture, business and social life…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The ‘malling’ of Baymeadows”

October 1, 2024

THE JAXSON | The ‘malling’ of Baymeadows

A look at the rise, repositioning and survival of Deerwood Village Mall, one of the Southside’s oldest shopping malls.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “OPINION | Great Cities Symposium a chance for Jax to learn from national leader”

September 24, 2024

OPINION | Great Cities Symposium a chance for Jax to learn from national leader

Since 2019, the Great Cities Symposium has brought remarkable civic and business leaders to Jacksonville from peer cities to share…

By Bill Hoff

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

September 18, 2024

THE JAXSON | The history of Jacksonville’s Norwood neighborhood

Located along the banks of Moncrief Creek, Norwood is a Northside neighborhood that was laid out in 1912.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Florida’s 5 largest cities in 1900”

September 10, 2024

THE JAXSON | Florida’s 5 largest cities in 1900

Even in 1900, when Florida was the 32nd largest state in the country, Jacksonville was by far its largest city.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The fascinating history of Black Hammock Island’s Cedar Point Preserve”

September 4, 2024

THE JAXSON | The fascinating history of Black Hammock Island’s Cedar Point Preserve

Jacksonville’s Black Hammock Island has a fascinating history from 6,000 years of civilization. Here are four facts about Cedar Point…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Memory lane: The Chitlin’ Circuit’s famed Two Spot Club”

August 28, 2024

THE JAXSON | Memory lane: The Chitlin’ Circuit’s famed Two Spot Club

Moncrief’s Two Spot was said to be the finest dance palace in the country owned by an African American during…

By Ennis Davis

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

August 21, 2024

THE JAXSON | The history of Jacksonville’s Lakeshore neighborhood

Lakeshore has a history and built environment shaped by housing booms, bubbles and busts of early 20th century Jacksonville.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The Gilded Era hotels of Henry Flagler”

August 14, 2024

THE JAXSON | The Gilded Era hotels of Henry Flagler

Railroad giant Henry Flagler was also known for his chain of Gilded Era luxury resort hotels, some of which remain…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | West Palm Beach: A redevelopment example for Jacksonville’s historic Eastside”

THE JAXSON | West Palm Beach: A redevelopment example for Jacksonville’s historic Eastside

Here’s are eight Northwest West Palm Beach projects that would also be appropriate for Jacksonville’s historic Eastside.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 urban core districts erased by urban renewal”

THE JAXSON | 5 urban core districts erased by urban renewal

In many U.S. cities, governments used urban renewal to erase marginalized communities from existence. Here are five examples of neighborhoods…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 6 Jacksonville expressway names you likely did not know”

THE JAXSON | 6 Jacksonville expressway names you likely did not know

Here are a few Jacksonville expressways you may not have heard of, despite being one of the thousands who drive…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 10 restaurants and bars coming to Downtown Jax ”

THE JAXSON | 10 restaurants and bars coming to Downtown Jax

Several new restaurants and bars are in the works for Downtown Jacksonville.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 6 major urban core infrastructure projects”

THE JAXSON | 6 major urban core infrastructure projects

Jacksonville’s urban core continues to grow. Here are six major infrastructure projects currently under construction in or near Downtown.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 historic roads in town”

THE JAXSON | 5 historic roads in town

The First Coast is home to some of Florida’s oldest roads and highways. Here is a look behind the development…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | How the Jaguars stadium deal could support Historic Eastside revitalization”

THE JAXSON | How the Jaguars stadium deal could support Historic Eastside revitalization

Here’s how the stadium deal’s community benefits agreement could provide tangible benefit to its adjacent urban core neighborhood.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 6 stories from Jacksonville’s LGBTQ history”

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.…

By Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 6 major urban core adaptive reuse projects”

THE JAXSON | 6 major urban core adaptive reuse projects

In honor of National Preservation Month, here are six examples of adaptive reuse projects currently under construction in the city’s…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The Chitlin’ Circuit and barbecue in Jacksonville”

THE JAXSON | The Chitlin’ Circuit and barbecue in Jacksonville

While the Chitlin’ Circuit is generally recognized for its musical contributions to society, in honor of National Barbecue Month, barbecue…

By Ennis Davis and Adrienne Burke

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Memory lane: Downtown’s Main Street in 1952”

THE JAXSON | Memory lane: Downtown’s Main Street in 1952

A visual trip back in time through Downtown Jacksonville’s Main Street in 1952.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The year of the Downtown public space”

THE JAXSON | The year of the Downtown public space

At long last, several high-profile parks in Downtown Jacksonville have opened this year, with more on the way in the…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | A ride on Brightline”

THE JAXSON | A ride on Brightline

Operating between Miami and Orlando with a goal of potentially expanding to Tampa and Jacksonville, Brightline is the first privately…

By Ennis Davis and Daniel Herbin - The Jaxson

The Jaxson