Featured image for “OPINION | Molly against the machine”
October 23, 2022

OPINION | Molly against the machine

Dozens of endorsements are flying, and most of them are of the “Well, it would be news if they didn’t endorse Candidate X” variety. Others are exceptions to the rule.  This cycle’s leading example: Jacksonville first lady Molly Curry’s backing of Democrat Lakesha Burton for Duval sheriff.  Burton has some traditionally Republican backers, and crossing party lines for endorsements is

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Featured image for “State law should protect Nassau Gullah/Geechee cemeteries, but lawmakers didn’t close loopholes”
September 21, 2022

State law should protect Nassau Gullah/Geechee cemeteries, but lawmakers didn’t close loopholes

This is Part 2 of a two-part Jacksonville Today series. Read Part 1.  For decades, Madelyn Dinkins-Smith’s family members have been buried in Gross Cemetery in rural Nassau County. Her grandfather, grandmother, aunt and uncle are laid to rest in the rural plot in a Rayonier-owned forest — a place where some of them worked in logging for the timber

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Featured image for “THE JAXSON | The 7 historic districts of Jacksonville”
September 13, 2022

THE JAXSON | The 7 historic districts of Jacksonville

Founded in 1822, Jacksonville is home to 107 properties and districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Of this number, seven are officially recognized as National Register historic districts. The most recent addition, the campus of Edward Waters University, was listed on the National Register on Aug. 8th of this year. Here is a look into the history

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Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 6 First Coast beach stories”
August 30, 2022

THE JAXSON | 6 First Coast beach stories

Jacksonville and the rest of the First Coast are home to some of the best, most accessible beaches in a state known for them – and we’ve still got weeks to enjoy them in all their summer glory. From unique geological features to lesser-known history to the birth of Florida’s favorite bike, here are six stories from our local beaches.

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Featured image for “Civil rights conference faces Jacksonville’s past, present and future: ‘It’s in your hands’ ”
August 28, 2022

Civil rights conference faces Jacksonville’s past, present and future: ‘It’s in your hands’ 

The inaugural Jacksonville Civil Rights Conference this past weekend explored how the city can move beyond its segregated history and stratified present. More needs to be done, the speakers said.  Education is key  Keynote speaker Johnnetta Betsch Cole said, “It’s not hyperbole, it is not an exaggeration when I say: The democracy in my country is under attack. And, most

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Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Jacksonville’s surviving historic theaters”
July 12, 2022

THE JAXSON | Jacksonville’s surviving historic theaters

The Jaxson Magazine takes a look into the history of Jacksonville’s nine oldest surviving theaters.

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Featured image for “OPINION | Remembering David, Jacksonville’s trailblazing gay magazine”
June 28, 2022

OPINION | Remembering David, Jacksonville’s trailblazing gay magazine

From 1970 to 1974, Jacksonville was the headquarters of the first magazine to serve Florida’s gay community. In honor of the last week of Pride Month, here’s a look at the history and impact of David magazine. Jacksonville’s LGBTQ history dates back thousands of years. The native Mocama Timucua people had gender roles for two-spirits — individuals who belong to

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Featured image for “THE JAXSON | 5 moments that shaped Jacksonville history”
June 7, 2022

THE JAXSON | 5 moments that shaped Jacksonville history

As Jacksonville celebrates its 200th birthday this week, here are five moments that made the city what it is today: 1861-65: The Civil War and emancipation Though part of Confederate Florida, Jacksonville was a hotbed of Unionist sentiment throughout the Civil War, Many prominent citizens and virtually all Black Americans supported the Union effort. Union forces occupied Jacksonville four times

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Featured image for “Some Black groups say they were left out of Jacksonville’s bicentennial, so they’re holding their own events instead”
May 17, 2022

Some Black groups say they were left out of Jacksonville’s bicentennial, so they’re holding their own events instead

Celebrating the city’s two centuries of history – warts and all – was the challenge the Jacksonville Historical Society was tasked with ahead of Jacksonville’s official bicentennial celebration next month.  The society’s work has not been universally applauded. Leaders from a handful of Black organizations, who say they were left out of the bicentennial planning process, are holding historical commemorations

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Featured image for “THE JAXSON | Uncovering Jacksonville’s Asian American story”
May 10, 2022

THE JAXSON | Uncovering Jacksonville’s Asian American story

Since 1990, May has been recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrating the achievements, history, culture and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. While Jacksonville can be a community where our unique and diverse cultural history is overlooked, Asian Americans have played a role in the city’s history for more than 100 years.

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