\"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.
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.
Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The story of the Downtown Southbank”
August 1, 2023

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 ”
July 25, 2023

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”
July 18, 2023

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”
July 11, 2023

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”
July 4, 2023

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”
June 27, 2023

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”
June 20, 2023

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”
June 13, 2023

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

Featured image for “OPINION | 4 common-sense ways to revitalize Downtown Jacksonville”
June 6, 2023

OPINION | 4 common-sense ways to revitalize Downtown Jacksonville

Here are four proven, relatively simple, common-sense suggestions to spark revival without relying on huge budgets and massive new developments.…

By Ennis Davis and Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 stories from Jacksonville’s hamburger history”
May 30, 2023

THE JAXSON | 5 stories from Jacksonville’s hamburger history

From the first ever Burger King to long-gone local chains, here’s a look at five burger facts from Jacksonville history.…

By Ennis Davis and Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Downtown Jacksonville’s most endangered buildings”
May 23, 2023

THE JAXSON | Downtown Jacksonville’s most endangered buildings

Here are 10 overlooked buildings in Jacksonville that in danger of being demolished if more attention isn’t given to their…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Jaxlore: The lost city of Ossachite”
May 16, 2023

THE JAXSON | Jaxlore: The lost city of Ossachite

Many books and articles on local history feature the Timucua town of Ossachite. There’s just one problem: It never existed.…

By Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The lost shipyards of Jacksonville”
May 9, 2023

THE JAXSON | The lost shipyards of Jacksonville

Here are five large shipyards that once laid down vessels on Jacksonville’s working waterfront.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “OPINION | The Ford plant demolition shows a dearth of vision”
May 2, 2023

OPINION | The Ford plant demolition shows a dearth of vision

The debate over demolishing the old Ford plant in Talleyrand missed a key point: It wasn’t demolish or reuse. It…

By Bill Delaney

Featured image for “6 lost towns within Jacksonville’s borders”
April 25, 2023

6 lost towns within Jacksonville’s borders

Some of the neighborhoods that now make Jacksonville were once towns in their own right. Here’s the story of 6…

By Ennis Davis and Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 historical facts about Murray Hill ”
April 18, 2023

THE JAXSON | 5 historical facts about Murray Hill 

Do you know these 5 facts about Murray Hill, one of urban Jacksonville’s emerging historic neighborhoods?…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 more shared-use paths coming to town”
April 11, 2023

THE JAXSON | 5 more shared-use paths coming to town

Besides the Fuller Warren Bridge’s new shared-use path, here are 5 more major shared-use paths under construction in the Jacksonville…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The 10-year saga of the Fuller Warren pedestrian path”
April 4, 2023

THE JAXSON | The 10-year saga of the Fuller Warren pedestrian path

A decade ago, concerned residents demanded a better transportation solution. As a result, the Fuller Warren Bridge shared-use path opens…

By Ennis Davis and Bill Delaney

Featured image for “OPINION | The YIMBY case for historic preservation”
March 28, 2023

OPINION | The YIMBY case for historic preservation

In much writing about urban development, the pro-density Yes In My Backyard movement and historic preservation are often presented as…

By Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 women’s history sites and stories in Jacksonville”
March 21, 2023

THE JAXSON | 5 women’s history sites and stories in Jacksonville

In honor of Women’s History Month, here are a few sites and stories associated with women who transformed our community…

By Ennis Davis and Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Lenny’s Lawn: A 4-year retrospective”
March 14, 2023

THE JAXSON | Lenny’s Lawn: A 4-year retrospective

Here’s a look back at the decisions that led to “Lenny’s Lawn” and what the future may hold for the…

By Ennis Davis and Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 15 major apartment projects underway in or near Downtown”
March 7, 2023

THE JAXSON | 15 major apartment projects underway in or near Downtown

Here are 15 significant apartment or townhouse projects currently under construction in or near Downtown Jacksonville.…

By Ennis Davis

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Jacksonville’s signature foods”
February 28, 2023

THE JAXSON | Jacksonville’s signature foods

Jax food: The comprehensive list of Jacksonville’s signature dishes.…

By Bill Delaney

Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 6 facts about LaVilla you should know”
February 21, 2023

THE JAXSON | 6 facts about LaVilla you should know

In honor of Black History Month, here’s a look at six stories from LaVilla’s past that deserve to be better…

By Ennis Davis and Bill Delaney

The Jaxson