Jacksonville, Florida
Earlier this evening the LaVilla Heritage Trail and Gateway Committee presented its LaVilla Heritage Trail project to the Downtown Investment Authority. The proposed LaVilla Heritage Trail across the historically Black Jacksonville neighborhood includes 55 notable historic sites, including the Ritz Theatre and Genovar’s Hall, a Read More …
The city of Jacksonville’s LaVilla Heritage Trail and Gateways Committee discusses and votes on a revised trail map at 5 p.m. today at City Hall, 117 W. Duval St. Join the Zoom meeting here, with meeting ID 843 0976 0422 and passcode 700593.
Jacksonville officials are moving forward on a plan for a heritage trail in the historically African American community of LaVilla — a cultural hub once known as the Harlem of the South. The path would include historical markers at the Richmond Hotel, Old Stanton High School, Read More …
A big, first step was taken today as the City, Groundwork Jacksonville, donors, and partners broke ground on the first phase of the 30-mile Emerald Trail. The LaVilla link will connect Brooklyn and LaVilla to the S-line via 1.3 miles of pedestrian and bike trails, Read More …
The Roosevelt was one of several theaters in LaVilla, the historically African-American neighborhood adjacent to downtown Jacksonville. The other theaters were the Strand, the Frolic, Excelsior Hall, Little Savoy, The Colored Airdome, the Globe, and the Ritz. Opened in 1949, the Roosevelt was located at Read More …
It was 120 years ago that Jacksonville brothers James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson created and performed the anthem, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.” Lift Every Voice and Sing – often called “The Black National Anthem” – was written as a poem by NAACP Read More …
New York, artist and jazz aficionado Keith Henry Brown was commissioned for this year’s Jazz Festival poster. Brown said he was drawn to LaVilla’s musical history, noting Ray Charles got his start in Jacksonville, playing piano for bands at the Ritz Theatre in LaVilla. Ray Read More …
Ray Charles Robinson, who had attended the Deaf and Blind School in St. Augustine, moved to LaVilla to stay with friends of his mother after she passed. He stayed for just over a year, earning $4 a night. He then moved to Seattle as he Read More …
The Lavilla Jazz & Heritage Festival is a FREE jazz fest and celebration of the rich history of one of Jacksonville’s most culturally significant neighborhoods. Lavilla was a popular destination for America’s music royalty during Jazz’s golden era, dubbing the district, the Harlem of the Read More …
The Jacksonville Historic Society recently released a list of twelve significant endangered historical sites for 2012. Jax Examiner shares that list below. St. Johns River Ferry In operation since at least 1948, the St. Johns River Ferry provides motorists a break from the traffic and Read More …