$\"logo\"/$ 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 | 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

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Neighborhoods: St. Nicholas”

THE JAXSON | Neighborhoods: St. Nicholas

A virtual tour of one of Jacksonville’s oldest urban neighborhoods: St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas History Located across the river from…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The drive-in theatres of Jacksonville”

THE JAXSON | The drive-in theatres of Jacksonville

For 69 years, drive-in movie theaters entertained generations of Jaxsons. Today, their remnants are hard to find in the city’s…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 Arab American historic sites in LaVilla”

THE JAXSON | 5 Arab American historic sites in LaVilla

Starting with the arrival of the first immigrants in the 1890s, Arab Americans have had a major impact on the…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | What does ‘withintrification’ look like? Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard”

THE JAXSON | What does ‘withintrification’ look like? Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard

Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard in New Orleans is a model for withintrification that can be easily replicated along Jacksonville corridors…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 4 influential Jacksonville women of the 19th century”

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.…

By Bill Delaney and Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The legacy of Eartha Mary Magdalene White”

THE JAXSON | The legacy of Eartha Mary Magdalene White

Born in Jacksonville in 1876, Eartha Mary Magdalene White dedicated her life to improving living conditions for the city’s poor…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Women’s history: The Rathel houses”

THE JAXSON | Women’s history: The Rathel houses

Marvel Funderburk Rathel and her husband designed and built some of the most distinctive homes in Jacksonville over a three-decade…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The madams of Jacksonville’s red light district”

THE JAXSON | The madams of Jacksonville’s red light district

In honor of Women’s History Month, here is a look at Jacksonville’s most well-known madams from LaVilla’s red light district…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor’s 5 largest metropolitan areas”

February 27, 2024

THE JAXSON | Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor’s 5 largest metropolitan areas

The Gullah Geechee are descended from African ancestors who arrived through the slave trade and settled from St. Augustine up…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “OPINION | Southbank storage units are a bad deal”

February 20, 2024

OPINION | Southbank storage units are a bad deal

After repeated attempts, against significant community opposition, a self-storage proposal for a prime corner in Downtown’s Southbank is back.…

By Mike Field

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Neighborhoods: Barnett’s Subdivision”

February 13, 2024

THE JAXSON | Neighborhoods: Barnett’s Subdivision

Barnett’s Subdivision is a small neighborhood within the larger Durkeeville community that has a very rich history.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 6 Black cultural heritage sites to visit in town”

February 6, 2024

THE JAXSON | 6 Black cultural heritage sites to visit in town

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

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “OPINION | James Weldon Johnson Park redesign must be informed by Bryant Park’s success”

January 30, 2024

OPINION | James Weldon Johnson Park redesign must be informed by Bryant Park’s success

We risk backing ourselves into another 50-year corner if we don’t learn from our past and our peers and again…

By Ken Bowen

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

January 23, 2024

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

Here is a trip down memory lane, highlighting five major Jacksonville area attractions that don’t exist anymore.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “OPINION | Changing the urban landscape in 2024”

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.…

By Ennis Davis, Bill Delaney and Mike Field

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 6 historical facts about Lake Forest”

January 9, 2024

THE JAXSON | 6 historical facts about Lake Forest

Located five miles northwest of Downtown, Lake Forest has a history and built environment shaped by housing booms, bubbles and…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Jacksonville’s oldest surviving skyscrapers”

January 2, 2024

THE JAXSON | Jacksonville’s oldest surviving skyscrapers

Atlantic National Bank Building (121 Atlantic Place), 121 W. Forsyth St. Year Completed: 1909 Height: 109 feet / 10 stories…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “OPINION | Rail funding is coming – is Jacksonville paying attention? ”

December 19, 2023

OPINION | Rail funding is coming – is Jacksonville paying attention?

Jacksonville’s entry into the federal rail corridor program is a chance for the city to seize its transportation future. Local…

By Marcus Nelson

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Cultural heritage trails increasing in popularity”

December 12, 2023

THE JAXSON | Cultural heritage trails increasing in popularity

With a cultural heritage trail proposed for Jacksonville’s LaVilla, here are how other cities have honored their historic African American…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 stories from Riverside’s industrial history”

December 5, 2023

THE JAXSON | 5 stories from Riverside’s industrial history

Here are five stories connected to Riverside’s industrial sites and history.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 7 ‘Harlems of the South’ including LaVilla”

November 28, 2023

THE JAXSON | 7 ‘Harlems of the South’ including LaVilla

Nearly every city of significant size in the South claims their version of Jacksonville’s LaVilla was the “Harlem of the…

By Ennis Davis

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