The architectural works of Joseph H. Blodgett
An early twentieth century not too long ago accomplished home by Joseph H. Blodgett. | College of North Florida
Durkeeville is residence to the most important assortment of surviving buildings designed and constructed by famous African American architect Joseph Haygood Blodgett. Born into slavery in Augusta, Georgia, Blodgett moved to Jacksonville in the course of the Eighteen Nineties with one paper greenback and one skinny dime to his identify. Initially working for the railroad for a greenback a day, Blodgett went on to start out a drayage enterprise, a woodyard, a farm and a restaurant earlier than turning into a constructing contractor round 1898. The Nice Fireplace of 1901 modified the fortunes of Blodgett.
Following the Nice Fireplace of 1901, Blodgett not solely designed and constructed 258 homes, he saved 199 to lease, ultimately turning into one of many metropolis’s first Black millionaires. Blodgett’s design trademark was the inclusion of a small higher porch above a big decrease porch that always prolonged across the aspect of a home. Whereas the vast majority of Blodgett’s buildings have been razed, properties designed and constructed by the early Black architect may be discovered all through the Durkeeville neighborhood.
The Durkee Gardens Nationwide Register Historic District
A view of Durkee Gardens from West eighth Avenue in the course of the late Thirties. | Metropolis of Jacksonville
Usually bounded by Myrtle Avenue, McConihe Avenue, Payne Avenue and thirteenth Avenue, the Durkee Gardens Historic District encompasses 49 acres and consists of 209 contributing buildings accomplished between 1934 and 1969. Platted between 1934 and 1944, the district is dominated by the Minimal Conventional architectural model and an enduring reminder of the standard work of African-American architects and builders reminiscent of James Edwards Hutchins and Sanford Augustus Brookings.
Florida’s second oldest public housing growth
A 1938 {photograph} of the Durkeeville Public Housing Undertaking. | Metropolis of Jacksonville
In 1937, the Public Works Administration accomplished the 215-unit Durkeeville public housing growth simply south of West eighth Avenue. It was the second public housing mission in-built Florida underneath the federal Public Works Administration. On the time, the event was meant to supply housing for Jacksonville’s Black center class in the course of the Nice Melancholy. The previous Durkeeville tasks have been changed by The Oaks at Durkeeville in 1999, as Florida’s first redevelopment underneath the HOPE VI program. The event, within the coronary heart of Durkeeville, consists of 164 residences, 28 market-rate single household properties, and a 36-unit senior dwelling facility that includes retail area alongside Myrtle Avenue.
A Inexperienced Ebook web site on Kings Highway
A 1968 postcard of the Fiesta Motel. | Library of Congress
The Fiesta Motel offered lodging for African American vacationers when it opened in 1961. That includes 26 air conditioned rooms, every with tv and phone, the Fiesta Motel was additionally a Negro Motorist Inexperienced Ebook web site. First revealed in 1936 by Victor Inexperienced, the Inexperienced Ebook was the bible of African American journey throughout segregation. For years, outdoors of the Black group, little was recognized in regards to the Inexperienced Ebook, which was a compilation of lodging, gasoline stations, eating places and different companies for individuals of coloration trying to journey freed from racial humiliation, discrimination and violence. Situated at 1251 Kings Highway, the previous motel is now the Kings Courtyard Residences.
Jacksonville’s first baseball epicenter
{A photograph} of Durkee Subject alongside Myrtle Avenue in 1937. | Ritz Theatre & Museum
Lengthy earlier than 121 Monetary Ballpark and the Jumbo Shrimp, Durkee Subject was the epicenter of Jacksonville’s skilled baseball group. Amazingly, it’s nonetheless standing as we speak. Courting again to 1912, this ballpark as soon as served as the house of the Negro League’s Jacksonville Pink Caps. Among the first groups to play right here embrace the Jacksonville Tars and the Jacksonville Athletics, a group on which James Weldon Johnson was a member of. Baseball legends who performed right here over time embrace Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Henry Aaron. Aaron additionally lived in Durkeeville throughout his temporary keep in Jacksonville. In 1980, it was renovated and renamed for James P. Small, who served as Stanton Excessive Faculty’s coach, band director and athletic director from 1934 to 1969. In 2013, the ballpark was added to the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations underneath the identify Joseph E. Durkee Athletic Subject.