An early twentieth century {photograph} of Duval Laundry. | Gary Watson
In 1901, Thomas Hilditch based the Hilditch Steam Laundry on Washington Road, close to Jacksonville’s Outdated Metropolis Cemetery. By 1915, Hilditch had partnered with Thomas Burroughs to assemble a big, trendy laundry facility at 413 East ninth Road in Springfield. The newly constructed two-story brick plant stood adjoining to a distinguished lumber mill operated by the J.C. Halsema Manufacturing Firm. The enterprise was renamed Duval-Hilditch Laundry and have become identified for its handy pick-up and supply service. On the time, garments had been transported utilizing horses and wagons, packed neatly into collapsible picket crates moderately than being hung. Following Hilditch’s passing in 1924, the Burroughs household assumed full management and, in 1930, rebranded the operation as Duval Laundry.
Throughout the Thirties, Duval Laundry pioneered using the zoric dry cleansing technique in Jacksonville. This progressive course of utilized a non-inflammable, non-shrinking, and odorless solvent, providing a more practical clear than conventional strategies with out extra price to the shopper. The corporate transitioned from horse-drawn wagons to motorized vans within the early Twenties. By the late Forties, it grew to become the primary laundry service within the Southeastern United States to equip its supply vans with radios, permitting drivers to be immediately notified of recent buyer requests.
By 1957, Duval Laundry had grown into a significant enterprise, using 300 employees and working a community of department shops beneath the identify Dixie Dry Cleaners. At its peak, the corporate serviced business accounts stretching from Brunswick, Georgia, to Lake Metropolis, Florida.
An early twentieth century {photograph} of Duval Laundry. | Gary Watson
Duval Laundry served as an financial anchor for the encompassing neighborhoods. A lot of its longtime staff had been African American residents of the Eastside, and the corporate supplied steady employment for generations. Amongst them was Josephine Inexperienced Riley, who labored at Duval Laundry for 40 years. Her son, John Riley, was additionally deeply related to the neighborhood.
On October 31, 1969, John Riley was shot on Florida Avenue. Although he survived the incident, the taking pictures triggered widespread unrest. Chaos unfolded quickly, fires consumed a number of buildings, others had been looted, and rioters shattered home windows all through the world. Automobiles had been torched, a police officer was struck by a brick, and two people had been wounded by gunfire.
The dysfunction overwhelmed native authorities, and Mayor Hans Tanzler initially struggled to revive management. In the end, heavy rains helped suppress the unrest. In its aftermath, 11 individuals had been arrested, with 10 charged for defying police orders and utilizing profane language. The occasions marked a turning level for Florida Avenue, which might by no means absolutely recuperate its former vitality.
Ruins of an outdated scale within the technique of being reclaimed by nature contained in the defunct Duval Laundry plant in Springfield.
Regardless of the upheaval, Duval Laundry continued to function efficiently for a number of extra a long time. Nonetheless, by the Nineties, what had as soon as been a contemporary, state-of-the-art facility had develop into outdated. Excessive utility prices and growing old gear made operations more and more unsustainable. In 1997, after 96 years in enterprise, Duval Laundry closed its doorways completely, ensuing within the layoff of fifty staff. Reflecting on its remaining days, plant proprietor Richard McFarlin remarked, “Our gear was so outdated, the utilities simply killed us.”
Following its closure, components of the 64,709-square-foot plant had been leased to varied tenants, together with an auto restore store. Now, practically three a long time later, the historic web site could also be poised for a revival. Lately acquired by Value Actual Property Providers, LLC, a fourth-generation boutique agency with Springfield roots relationship again to the early 1900s, the constructing is being eyed for rehabilitation and adaptive reuse, probably welcoming a brand new mixture of tenants.
Immediately, a lot of the unique equipment stays in place, a silent testomony to a bygone period when Duval Laundry performed a central function within the life and financial system of Jacksonville’s Eastside.
Subsequent Web page: A Look Inside Duval Laundry Immediately
A glance contained in the stays of Duval Laundry’s former plant workplace.