Henry John Klutho

Source:  https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=230555

On May 21, 2023 the first landmarker for Henry John Klutho was unveiled on the corner of Ninth and Main Street. The Springfield Preservation and Revitalization Historic Task Force crowdfunded with the residents of Springfield as part of an ongoing to commemorate significant historic members of the commnunity. Located on the property of what is now Strings Sports Brewery, the marker captures the life and impact of Henry Klutho in Jacksonville.

"Henry John Klutho home  - Jacksonville, Florida. 1970 (circa)" Florida Memory, https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/34717.

Henry John Klutho designed his own home in 1908 and it was completed in 1909. It served as his residence during most of his life in Jacksonville. According to the National Register of Historic Places nomination form for the property, it is probably the first contemporary example of the Prairie School style of architecture. About 1925, the building was moved from its original location (2018 Main Street) to its present site, 30 West Ninth Street. Klutho lived in the building until his death in 1964.

"Klutho, Henry John, House." National Archives, https://catalog.archives.gov/id/77842285.

Photos: Tour an architect's vision in Henry Klutho's historic private home

The Klutho Apartments is a hallmark of the Prairie-style design that was common in Klutho’s work. It featured ornate geometrical designs of shapes and lines. The apartments sat on the lot where Klutho’s personal residence was located before it was moved to its Ninth Street location. Klutho lived in the building and used one of the apartments as an office. In 1943, the building was renamed Dionne’s Springfield Apartments after it was sold to Isaiah Dionne. Alterations were made to the original design.

Wood, Wayne W., et al. Jacksonville’s Architectural Heritage : Landmarks for the Future. 1st ed., University of North Florida Press, 1989.

Source: https://jaxpsychogeo.com/north/springfield-florence-court-apartments/

Built in 1911, Florence Court Apartments are another example of Klutho's Prairie School Style of architecture. The property has a historic designation with Duval County.

Claude Nolan Cadillac dealership - Jacksonville, Florida. 1910 (circa). State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/39203 .

The Claude Nolan Cadillac building was built in 1912 and has historic designation with Duval County. It rests on contaminated soil resulting from coal tar that was discarded from a manufactured gas plant operating in 1884 north of what is now Main and State streets downtown. The plant created gas to power streetlights, leaving behind residue that contained cancer-causing chemicals.

Patterson, Steve. "Decontamination project could exceed $17 million; City report to state DEP says Klutho building may be casualty." Florida Times Union, 6 Feb. 2014, p. A-1. Gale Business: Insights, https://fscj-flvc.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01FALSC_FSCJ/b228c5/A360803601 .

https://thecoastal.com/featured/henry-j-klutho-park/

Originally named Springfield Park, this park was renamed in 1984 to Klutho Park to commemorate its architect. It consists of the southwestern boundary of the Springfield neighborhood from Laura to Tenth Street and features Hogans Creek. In 1907, the city purchased twenty acres of land which would become Dignan Park. This park spanned from Main Street to Liberty Street and linked to then Springfield Park to form a continuous park that ran up to the St. Johns River. Completed in 1929, the park was an attractive landmark of balustrades, ornamental lighting, bridges and sidewalks along the lit creek. 

Wood, Wayne W., et al. Jacksonville’s Architectural Heritage : Landmarks for the Future. 1st ed., University of North Florida Press, 1989.