Wacky days
During a brief window in 1950-51, children could get the Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab—a kit allowing them to make nuclear reactions at home using ACTUAL RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL.
Category: History
The New-England Boy’s Song about Thanksgiving Day
Lydia Maria Child wrote the poem titled “The New-England Boy’s Song about Thanksgiving Day,” in 1845. It is best known for its opening lines “Over the river and through the wood, to grandfather’s house we go.” Her poem gained its lasting popularity in 1874 when Read More …
Women’s Board marks five decades of service to pediatric patients at Wolfson
The Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital is celebrating its Golden Jubilee and 50 years of community service. The Women’s Board raises awareness and funds for Wolfson Children’s Hospital — the only dedicated children’s inpatient health care facility in the region — and supports its Read More …
Jacksonville Historical Society’s 20th Annual Gingerbread Extravaganza
The 20th Annual Gingerbread Extravaganza, hosted by the Jacksonville Historical Society, will enthrall visitors of all ages as they ooh and aah over dozens of delectable gingerbread creations built by amateurs and professionals. The event includes decorated trees and a holiday shop. New this year: Read More …
NAS Jax Air Show 2022
The NAS Jax Air Show, Birthplace of the Blue Angels, will be held October 22 & 23, 2022 aboard NAS Jacksonville. This event has free admission and parking, no tickets are required to attend. The gates open at 9 am and the show will begin Read More …
St. Nicholas Bethel Baptist Church and Bethel Church Cemetery seek preservation protections
The Land Use and Zoning Committee considers ordinances to grant historic preservation protections to the St. Nicholas Bethel Baptist Church and Bethel Church Cemetery. The ordinances would declare the church and cemetery local landmarks. 5 p.m., City Hall, 117 W. Duval St. Live stream the meeting here.
Abandoned hovercraft in Green Cove Springs
In 2005, there was a company called Atlas Hovercraft, Inc., based in the Sunshine State, out of Green Cove Springs. The Atlas website stated that it was set to become the largest hovercraft design and manufacturing company in the world. Production began on the first Read More …
Happy 247th Birthday U.S. Navy!
Happy 247th Birthday U.S. Navy! As the proud home of NAS Jacksonville and NS Mayport, we take immense pride in the brave sailors, past and present who call our City home. We honor and thank these brave men and women for your service to both Read More …
Jacksonville City council could’ve should’ve would’ve, but they didn’t save the historic Ford Motor Plant, instead they voted for demolition
Nearly a hundred years ago (1923) Ford Motor Company purchased the former Bentley Shipyards property from the city of Jacksonville for $50,000. They commissioned architect Albert Kahn to design a smaller version of the company’s River Rouge facility. The 115,200-square-foot, $2 million complex was completed Read More …
The Walt Disney World Resort opened on this date in 1971
The Walt Disney World Resort officially opened on this date in 1971, including Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. William Windsor, Jr. was the very first guest. Approximately 10,000 visitors showed up on opening day. Read More …
Union Terminal Warehouse to be renovated
An Atlanta-based developer is planning to turn the 109-year-old Union Terminal Warehouse into a mixed-use complex that includes 228 workforce apartments and 44,000 square feet of commercial, retail and light industrial space. Columbia Ventures LLC says it’s secured $72 million, including a $41 million mortgage, to resurrect Read More …
Jacksonville Civil Rights Conference
Saturday marks the 62nd anniversary of Ax Handle Saturday, a racially motivated attack that took place in Hemming Park in Jacksonville, Florida, on August 27, 1960. On that day, a group of white men attacked African Americans who were engaging in peaceful sit-in protests opposing Read More …
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels return to the NAS Jacksonville Air Show
One month away! The U.S. Navy Blue Angels return to the NAS Jacksonville Air Show 10/22 & 23. It’s been a while since they have returned to their birthplace and we are excited to have them back! Check out their last appearance here in Jax Read More …
The USS Mason arrives at Naval Station Mayport
Naval Station Mayport is the new home of a destroyer with a notable history. The USS Mason, which arrived yesterday from its previous home port of Norfolk, Virginia, is named in honor of the last ship to carry the Mason name, which was one of two Read More …
Slave Trade Marker
A historic marker will be unveiled today on Amelia Island to honor the 2 million Africans who died and the 500,000 who survived being shipped as slaves in what was known as the Middle Passage. Amelia Island is one of 52 documented arrival locations of Read More …
National Root Beer Float Day 2022
August 6th is National Root Beer Float Day. Some root beer history: Sassafras root beverages were made by indigenous peoples of the Americas for culinary and medicinal reasons before the arrival of Europeans in North America, and European culinary techniques have been applied to making Read More …
Mayor Curry refuses to back down, puts city money where his mouth is
Mayor Lenny Curry is taking another shot at removing the remaining Confederate monuments from public spaces. Curry’s proposed budget includes $500,000 for the removals, which will force the City Council to revisit the issue when it begins discussing Curry’s recommended budget this summer. Last month, Read More …
Old Stanton High School receives renovation funds
The “Old Stanton” High School is poised to get a new life thanks to an infusion of funding from the state. Rep. Wyman Duggan, R-Jacksonville, Rep. Tracie Davis, D-Jacksonville, and Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, sponsored the $2.5 million in state funding to renovate the historic building. The Read More …