$\"logo\"/$ 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 | The First Coast of funk”

November 21, 2023

THE JAXSON | The First Coast of funk

As hip hop celebrates 50 years, let’s take a look at the First Coast’s place in that history. The Jacksonville…

By Leo Esclamado

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Jacksonville in the 1870s”

November 14, 2023

THE JAXSON | Jacksonville in the 1870s

A collection of historic photos from stereoscopic postcards that capture Jacksonville’s atmosphere during the 1870s.…

By Andrew R. Nicholas

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The Ribault River’s history”

November 7, 2023

THE JAXSON | The Ribault River’s history

Located 5 miles northwest of Downtown, the scenic Ribault River is a waterway where one can experience the incremental development…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 restaurants coming to Downtown”

October 31, 2023

THE JAXSON | 5 restaurants coming to Downtown

Downtown’s culinary scene continues to grow. Here are five restaurant concepts headed to Jacksonville’s central business district.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Jaxlore: The ‘humanzee’ of Orange Park”

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”…

By Bill Delaney

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

October 17, 2023

THE JAXSON | The history of Jacksonville’s Moncrief neighborhood

Known as the District of Soul, Moncrief is a historic neighborhood located a few miles northwest of Downtown Jacksonville. Here…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 13 historic Eastside photographs”

October 10, 2023

THE JAXSON | 13 historic Eastside photographs

A photographic journey into the history of Jacksonville’s Eastside, one of its oldest urban neighborhoods and now home to the…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 6 major urban core housing developments coming outside of Downtown”

October 3, 2023

THE JAXSON | 6 major urban core housing developments coming outside of Downtown

Downtown isn’t the only urban core neighborhood in Jacksonville where large infill development projects are under construction.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Getting to know the Edward Waters University historic district”

September 26, 2023

THE JAXSON | Getting to know the Edward Waters University historic district

Part of Edward Waters University was added to the National Register of Historic Places last year. These 6 buildings make…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 9 Hispanic Jax history facts”

September 19, 2023

THE JAXSON | 9 Hispanic Jax history facts

here are nine stories that suggest Hispanic influence on the development and culture of Jacksonville is just as old as…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 4 mass transit projects comparable to the U2C in price”

September 12, 2023

THE JAXSON | 4 mass transit projects comparable to the U2C in price

Here are 4 mass transit projects that were recently completed for a similar cost per mile to Jacksonville’s proposed Skyway…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | A trip down memory lane: LaVilla”

September 5, 2023

THE JAXSON | A trip down memory lane: LaVilla

For more than a century, the neighborhood of LaVilla was the epicenter of African American culture, entertainment and commerce in…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “OPINION | Time to cut bait on JTA’s driverless Skyway replacement”

August 30, 2023

OPINION | Time to cut bait on JTA’s driverless Skyway replacement

There are other options for public transit that are cheaper, carry more passengers and are available right now. …

By Ennis Davis and Mike Field

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The history of the Maxey Moody Sr. house”

August 23, 2023

THE JAXSON | The history of the Maxey Moody Sr. house

An old house in Downtown Jacksonville’s Cathedral District contains a fascinating history.…

By Andrew R. Nicholas

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Getting to know the Lackawanna neighborhood”

August 15, 2023

THE JAXSON | Getting to know the Lackawanna neighborhood

Here are five stories connected to a historic Jacksonville neighborhood that developed around a 19th century railroad yard: Lackawanna.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “OPINION | 6 recommendations for JTA’s new LaVilla facility ”

OPINION | 6 recommendations for JTA’s new LaVilla facility

A Jacksonville Transportation Authority facility planned for LaVilla doesn’t align with the vision for Downtown. These 6 recommendations could fix…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The story of the Downtown Southbank”

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…

By Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 3 Jacksonville breweries of yesteryear ”

THE JAXSON | 3 Jacksonville breweries of yesteryear

The brewing of beer in Jacksonville dates back to the 19th century. Here are 3 local breweries that were in…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “OPINION | The Downtown jail fallacy”

OPINION | The Downtown jail fallacy

It’s possible to create a much more active and vibrant Downtown Jacksonville even without moving the jail.…

By Ennis Davis and Mike Field

Featured image for “OPINION | Downtown revival: Crafting a plan for city-owned properties”

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…

By Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 10 historic First Coast railroad depots”

THE JAXSON | 10 historic First Coast railroad depots

Here are 10 historic train stations that stand today in the Jacksonville area. Two of them are still functioning.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 sites from LGBTQ history in Jax’s Urban Core”

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…

By Bill Delaney, Mike Field and Ennis Davis

Featured image for “OPINION | Jags’ plans present an opportunity to revitalize the Eastside”

OPINION | Jags’ plans present an opportunity to revitalize the Eastside

A. Philip Randolph could become a commercial district complementary to the proposed stadium district, with a 1-mile stretch of continuous…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Getting to know the Phoenix neighborhood”

THE JAXSON | Getting to know the Phoenix neighborhood

Here are five facts about Phoenix, the historic Jacksonville neighborhood named in honor of the city’s rise from the ashes…

By Ennis Davis

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