Almost Hollywood by
(PRINT) Blair Miller tells the story of the motion picture industry as it developed in Jacksonville after the turn of the twentieth century. Almost Hollywood reveals the meteoric rise of Jacksonville in early silent films. Home to over thirty studios employing actors, directors, and stagehands, Jacksonville became touted as the "winter film capital of the world" by 1915. A myriad of factors contributed to Jacksonville's rise and then fall by the mid 1920s. What were the reasons why Jacksonville missed out as the next mecca for filmmaking? Blair Miller tells the story through primary sources from that remarkable period.
Historic Homes of Florida's First Coast by
(PRINT) Some of the earliest European settlers colonized Northeast Florida when it was little more than a wilderness. Today, the area is rich in multicultural heritage and historic significance, and its historic homes stand as a testament to its intriguing past. Step inside a Second Spanish Period structure that was home to European royalty and visited by iconic film star Greta Garbo. Visit the places that inspired works such as Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings's Pulitzer prize-winning novel The Yearling" and British composer Frederick Delius's masterpiece, "Florida Suite." Author and award-winning photographer Mary Atwood explores the homes of early colonial settlers, wealthy plantation owners, illustrious Florida artists and those responsible for shaping Florida's First Coast."
Historic Photos of Jacksonville by
(PRINT) Historic Photos of Jacksonville captures the historical growth of this city in still photography from the top archives in the area. Stunning black and white pictures with most of the photographs never published before in this beautiful coffee table book. The book follows life, government, events and people important to Jacksonville history and the building of this unique late blooming city. Spanning over two centuries and two hundred photographs, this is a must have for any long-time resident or history lover of Jacksonville!
It Was Never about a Hotdog and a Coke by
PRINT: On August 27, 1960, more than 200 whites with ax handles and baseball bats attacked members of the Jacksonville Youth Council NAACP in downtown Jacksonville who were sitting in at white lunch counters protesting racism and segregation. Referred to as Ax Handle Saturday, "It was never about a hot dog and a Coke" chronicles the racial and political climate of Jacksonville, Florida in the late fifties, the events leading up to that infamous day, and the aftermath.
Jacksonville's Architectural Heritage by
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Legendary Locals of Jacksonville by
(PRINT) Since Europeans first settled along Jacksonville's riverbanks in the 16th century, the area has been a diverse community that thrives not only on commerce, music, and the arts but also on the advantages of a subtropical climate and waterside lifestyle. The city grew up around a crossing point for cattle in the St. Johns River and first became known as Cowford. The Great Fire of 1901 left 10,000 people homeless but not defeated. The ashes gave birth to a new era with strong architecture and a new resolve. Considered a friendly town for African Americans, Jacksonville was home to Harlem Renaissance artists as well as civil rights leaders. A bit laid back, the city has still managed to be on the cutting edge--it was the home of the Navy's Blue Angels as well as Southern rock and one of the country's first skateboard parks.
Lost Restaurants of Jacksonville by
(PRINT) The city of Jacksonville has long enjoyed a wondrous array of restaurants with fine cuisine and unique atmospheres. Some of the greatest of those now exist only in memory. Le Chateau, with its elegant patio and seascapes, was a beacon of fine dining. The Rainbow Room at the George Washington Hotel offered a crowded dance floor with its dinner experience. The Green Derby was the hub of passion for fans of Florida and Georgia during one of the fiercest rivalries in college football. Join author Dorothy K. Fletcher as she recalls the history of the city's lost restaurants and reflects on a more gracious time in Jacksonville living.
The Mad Atlas of Virginia King by
(PRINT) Virginia King wrote an 8,448 page book about her hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, with a title nearly as long. She said her brother was dead. He said he'd never heard of her. She called the wealthiest people in the city "my little friends." THE MAD ATLAS OF VIRGINIA KING, which explores the life and psychology of this strange writer, is illustrated by her own photography, with meaningful musings by Hurley Winkler, and hand-drawn maps by Kiley Secrest.
Blue Avenue by
(PRINT) Introducing homicide detective Daniel Turner and his troubled friend 'BB' in the first of this atmospheric crime noir series. Summoned by his old friend, homicide detective Daniel Turner, to identify the trussed-up, naked body of a woman, found wrapped in cellophane amongst a pile of garbage on Blue Avenue, a down-at-heel area of Jacksonville, Florida, businessman William Byrd or ‘BB’ is in for a shock. He recognises the dead woman as Belinda Mabry, the girl with whom he spent an intense and passionate summer twenty-five years before. What’s more, as Daniel informs him, she’s the third victim to have met such a hideously gruesome end.Determined to find out what happened to Belinda Mabry and where she’d been for the past twenty-five years, BB must revisit his own troubled past – and discover more than he ever really wanted to know about the woman he once loved. But his investigations are causing serious ripples amongst prominent members of the local community. Has BB found himself on a road of no return?
Four Women by
(PRINT) What happens to four strangers when the present meets the past and the whole world is watching?This is the story of four women. Soleil St. James, Dawn Anthony, Ebony Jones, and Dr. Jonelle "Johnnie" Edwards all live, work, and love in Jacksonville, Florida. The women from four different backgrounds don't know each other, but when one tragically triumphant event brings their worlds together the women's jobs, relationships, and exponentially budding connections get tested in ways they've never imagined. In a post Ray Rice, Trayvon Martin, Jordan Davis, and Michael Brown world, Soleil, Dawn, Ebony and Jonelle all question their place as African-American women. Is the Black woman still the mule of the world? Can justice be served when the suspect is also the victim, and the victim has a hidden criminal history that's never been reported or prosecuted, and whenver faced head on is swept under the rug? In a world where stand your ground is immunity from prosecution for murder, or a license to kill, and domestic violence is scarcely recognized, what options does any one woman have?
Jetty Man by
(PRINT) A memorable Southern Gothic trilogy in which a sensitive and innocent young man is continually victimized by the arbitrary cruelness and violence of brutal men.
Second Skin by
An intriguing mystery featuring homicide detective Daniel Turner in the second of this atmospheric crime noir series, following Blue Avenue. When one of her students is found dead, English teacher Lillian Turner and her husband, Navy war veteran Johnny Bellefleur, are drawn into the investigation. Having made a macabre discovery which throws a disturbing new light on the case, Johnny and Lillian find themselves involved in something darker and more dangerous than they could have imagined. With their marriage cracking under the strain and Johnny's sanity under threat, the pair is warned to stay out of the case by Lillian's brother, homicide detective Daniel Turner. Just what is Daniel's connection to the dead girl? Does he know more than he's letting on? Can Lillian trust her own brother?
Sin City by
(PRINT) There have always been innumerable opinions and incessant commentary about the problems with public education. Unfortunately, few of these focus on the real culprits. Most problems come from the homes and are sent to the schools. Educators do not create them. In the mid 1980's, another scourge appeared on the scene in the embodiment of the drug culture, crack cocaine.
Along This Way by
The autobiography of the celebrated African American writer and civil rights activist Published just four years before his death in 1938, James Weldon Johnson's autobiography is a fascinating portrait of an African American who broke the racial divide at a time when the Harlem Renaissance had not yet begun to usher in the civil rights movement. Not only an educator, lawyer, and diplomat, Johnson was also one of the most revered leaders of his time, going on to serve as the first black president of the NAACP (which had previously been run only by whites), as well as write the groundbreaking novel The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man. Beginning with his birth in Jacksonville, Florida, and detailing his education, his role in the Harlem Renaissance, and his later years as a professor and civil rights reformer, Along This Way is an inspiring classic of African American literature. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Dust Tracks on a Road by
"Warm, witty, imaginative. . . . This is a rich and winning book."--The New Yorker Dust Tracks on a Road is the bold, poignant, and funny autobiography of novelist, folklorist, and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, one of American literature's most compelling and influential authors. Hurston's powerful novels of the South--including Jonah's Gourd Vine and, most famously, Their Eyes Were Watching God--continue to enthrall readers with their lyrical grace, sharp detail, and captivating emotionality. First published in 1942, Dust Tracks on a Road is Hurston's personal story, told in her own words. The Perennial Modern Classics Deluxe edition includes an all-new forward by Maya Angelou, an extended biography by Valerie Boyd, and a special P.S. section featuring the contemporary reviews that greeted the book's original publication.
Almost Hollywood by
Blair Miller tells the story of the motion picture industry as it developed in Jacksonville after the turn of the twentieth century. Almost Hollywood reveals the meteoric rise of Jacksonville in early silent films. Home to over thirty studios employing actors, directors, and stagehands, Jacksonville became touted as the "winter film capital of the world" by 1915. A myriad of factors contributed to Jacksonville's rise and then fall by the mid 1920s. What were the reasons why Jacksonville missed out as the next mecca for filmmaking? Blair Miller tells the story through primary sources from that remarkable period.
Legendary Locals of Jacksonville by
Since Europeans first settled along Jacksonville's riverbanks in the 16th century, the area has been a diverse community that thrives not only on commerce, music, and the arts but also on the advantages of a subtropical climate and waterside lifestyle. The city grew up around a crossing point for cattle in the St. Johns River and first became known as Cowford. The Great Fire of 1901 left 10,000 people homeless but not defeated. The ashes gave birth to a new era with strong architecture and a new resolve. Considered a friendly town for African Americans, Jacksonville was home to Harlem Renaissance artists as well as civil rights leaders. A bit laid back, the city has still managed to be on the cutting edge--it was the home of the Navy's Blue Angels as well as Southern rock and one of the country's first skateboard parks.
Reclaiming Jacksonville by
The city of Jacksonville has hundreds of buildings that have withstood the test of time. Yet these lasting landmarks tell only a portion of Jacksonville's history. Dozens of other buildings have been abandoned and left to wither, turning into shadows of their former grandeur. Each place has a rich and storied history that belies modern appearances, like the Annie Lytle Elementary School, now known as the most haunted landmark in the city, and the Jacksonville Brewing Company, which had to come up with a creative way to stay afloat (think ice cream) when Prohibition hit. Join local writers Ennis Davis and Robert Mann as they go behind the scenes of fourteen crumbling but ethereally beautiful structures to reveal their true pasts. Enhanced with stunning color photography, Reclaiming Jacksonville is a must-have for every resident of the River City.
Remembering Jacksonville by
As longtime residents and newcomers alike can agree, Jacksonville holds within its city limits wonderful places to grow, play and contemplate the beauty of north Florida. This entertaining collection of Dorothy Fletcher's "By the Wayside"? columns will help you remember what it was like to see the world and Jacksonville with a sense of wonder and enthusiasm. From Marineland to the Soul Searchers to Peterson's 5 & 10, Remembering Jacksonville captures this coastal community's glory days, including fond recollections from local citizens who responded to the original columns.
Streetcars of Florida's First Coast by
In the late 1800s, a new method to power streetcars ushered Florida's First Coast cities into the modern era. Earlier travelers moved around town on hay burners, but after the very first electric-powered trolley cruised up Jacksonville's Main Street in 1893, railways cropped up throughout the region. When the new railroad terminal opened in 1919, it handled millions of passengers, becoming the hub of the streetcar system and the largest railroad station in the South. With almost sixty miles of track, the Jacksonville Traction Company was the largest streetcar system in Florida. Award-winning author and historian Robert W. Mann chronicles the story behind Florida's bygone streetcar epoch and the dramatic history of city builders, financiers, organized labor, civil rights, fire, fever, nabobs and railway men.
To Render Invisible by
Winner of the Florida Historical Society Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Award "Covering a compelling local history, deeply imbricated with state and national events, To Render Invisible brings together dramatic stories of continuity and change, of gender and race, and of respectability and resistance in a brisk narrative lucidly informed by social theory."--David Roediger, author of The Wages of Whiteness "Carefully develops an original argument drawing from several theoretical perspectives to make the claim that African Americans in Jacksonville were able to continue to struggle for justice and 'public space' even after a wave of white supremacy engulfed the city as well as the state."--Paul Ortiz, author of Emancipation Betrayed "Well written, clearly and logically organized, and built upon a foundation of deep research in primary sources, including newspapers, Freemen's bureau records, official documents and personal papers."--Louis Kyriakoudes, author of The Social Origins of the Urban South What defines a city's public space? Who designates such areas, who determines their uses, and who gets to use them? Robert Cassanello uses rough-and-tumble nineteenth-century Jacksonville as both backdrop and springboard to explore social transformation in Florida and the South. When free black men in the city were first given the right to vote, conservative lawmakers made concerted efforts to drive them out of white public spaces. They attempted to make the public sphere a white domain by rendering blacks voiceless--invisible--in the public square. In response, a black counterpublic developed, flourishing clandestinely at times and openly challenging racism in the public sphere at others. Fortified by the theories of Henri Lefebvre, David Harvey, and Jürgen Habermas, To Render Invisible is the first book to focus on the tumultuous emergence of African American public life in Jacksonville between Reconstruction and the 1920s. Robert Cassanello brings to light many of the reasons Jacksonville, like Birmingham, Alabama, and other cities throughout the South, continues to struggle with its contentious racial past.
History of Jacksonville, Florida, and vicinity, 1513 to 1924 by
Two times there was a wholesale destruction of Jacksonville's official records-in the War Between the States and by the fire of May 3, 1901. The author's effort in this work was to collect all of the available authentic matter for permanent preservation in book form. The record closes as of December 31, 1924. The record is derived from many sources-long forgotten books and pamphlets; old letters and diaries that have been stored away as family memorials of the past; newspapers beginning with the St. Augustine Herald in 1822 (on file at the Congressional Library at Washington) fragmentary for the early years, but extremely valuable for historical research; almost a complete file of local newspapers from 1875 to date; from the unpublished statements of old residents of conditions and outstanding events within the period of their clear recollection; and from a multitude of other sources of reliability. The search through the highways and the byways for local history was in the spare moments of the author stretching over a period of a score of years, a pastime "hobby" with no idea of making money out of it. No attempt has been made to discuss the merits of any incident, but only to present the facts, just as they were and just as they are, from the records and sources indicated. Includes maps and illustrations. PALMM
Jacksonville after the Fire, 1901-1919 by
The books in the Florida and the Caribbean Open Books Series demonstrate the University Press of Florida?s long history of publishing Latin American and Caribbean studies titles that connect in and through Florida, highlighting the connections between the Sunshine State and its neighboring islands. Books in this series show how early explorers found and settled Florida and the Caribbean. They tell the tales of early pioneers, both foreign and domestic. They examine topics critical to the area such as travel, migration, economic opportunity, and tourism. They look at the growth of Florida and the Caribbean and the attendant pressures on the environment, culture, urban development, and the movement of peoples, both forced and voluntary. The Florida and the Caribbean Open Books Series gathers the rich data available in these architectural, archaeological, cultural, and historical works, as well as the travelogues and naturalists? sketches of the area in prior to the twentieth century, making it accessible for scholars and the general public alike. The Florida and the Caribbean Open Books Series is made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, under the Humanities Open Books program.
