Neighborhoods – Jacksonville Blogger

Gravely Hill: A Cemetery on Florida Flat Land

As would be expected when I heard that the 5th President of the United State’s son, Jame Monroe had once lived in Jacksonville, I had to find some evidence. It has always been of interest to me to know famous people who have graced our city. Elvis Presley never lived in Jacksonville, but he stayed often in a home in the Murray Hill area. The esteemed preacher and evangelist, Billy Graham spent many occasions in Jacksonville as he preached the Gospel of Christ and even had his doctors here at the Mayo hospital. I photographed him in the once-called “Gator Bowl” and saw him on our Jacksonville newscasts visiting places in our city. Rosa Parks came to Jacksonville on at least two occasions where I met her and she invited me to sit beside her and tell how I broke my arm which was in a cast at that time. There have been many well known visitors who have spent time in our fair city and so to read that a former president’s son had actually spent most of his life here, it was certainly worth detailing.

After reading through a number of stories online, I set out first to find his grave which was found in a cemetery on the westside of the city. Sandy Strickland, a former writer of the Florida Times Union newspaper had written an article “Gravely Hill is a Cemetery within a Cemetery”. Using that as the basic information, “Maps”, provided the address and a trip to the old cemetery dating back to at least the 1830’s was found literally inside the fence of Riverside Memorial Cemetery’s chainlink fence. The sign reads “Gravely Hill Cemetery Historical Landmark, NOTICE Any alterations or work performed on these premises must have authorization by M. Weeks 904-268-1934”. Another sign indicated the property was being maintained by the City of Jacksonville. I learned that the 200 acres of Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery had built its cemetery around the Gravely Hill cemetery. Sandy Strickland named her article precisely that.

Walking through the lawn-cut grounds, I read the names on the stones such as Price, Hogan, Bramlitt, Pacetti, Lauramore, Hills, and of course, there was the grave of a James Monroe flanked by an American flag. On the tomb stone there is no birthdate but only his day of passing.

According to online information from Ann Parkinson, the Concordia Sentinel, October 30, 2009 has him listed as the “oldest Confederate veteran of the American Civil War” at 133 years, 11 months, 24 days at death”. , Monroe says he was born on the 4th of July in 1925. That would have made him 133 years upon his death in June of 1949. Tim Gilmore, a Jacksonville enthusiast wrote in his article “If James Edward Monroe were 133 years old when he died, then he was 22 when, in 1837, Steven Eubanks stated in his will that he wished to be buried beside “the grave of my departed mother in the burial ground on my plantation called Gravely Hill.”

According to sources such as Gilmore, James Edward Monroe was a wanderer and could have been found removed by the police for squatting in the Riverside area during his time in this city.

After reading and researching for a time, there is no real evidence to indicate that J. E. Monroe lived from 1815-1949 except that its on actual official records and on a stone in Gravely Hill. According to a 1926 Associated Press article, he was a major in the military, fought under the command of General Robert E. Lee and there is a post card with the words “Major Edward Monroe youngest son of President James Monroe, 110 years old July 4, 1925. Jacksonville, Florida. ( Find a Grave, James Monroe photos)

Photos from the Find a Grave site: Jacksonville Journal photo, a post card, Pres. James Monroe, Elizabeth, the President’s mother (which is said the Jacksonville Monroe has among his belongings.)

Monroe, The 5th President of the United States is listed as being born April 28, 1758 and died July 4, 1831. He was known as a statesman, lawyer, diplomat, President from 1817-1825, and the last of the Founding Fathers. According to White House records, he and Elizabeth Kortright had three children: Eliza(1786), James (1799) and Maria ( 1802). There is no mention of a James Edward. So, did he live to be 133? Was he the youngest son of the 5th President of the United States?

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Sources: Sandy Strickland , “Gravely Hill is a Cemetery within a Cemetery, The Florida Times UnionMarch 12, 2018,). Tim Gilmore,Gravely Hill Plantation and Graveyard, , December 7, 2018., Find a Grave photos, Find a Grave. Com, James Monroe, White House . Gov.

Category: Cemeteries, Government, Neighborhoods, People | LEAVE A COMMENT

February 13

Harriet Beecher Stowe

If you visit the Community First Credit Union on State Road 13 in Mandarin, Florida, south of downtown Jacksonville, you will see a full wall dedicated to the life of abolitionist and author, Harriet Beecher Stowe. There is a photograph of her home and likeness and of the trees along the road on which she once lived in Florida.

Stowe and her husband, Calvin, owned property on a once dirt road, now called Mandarin Road in Mandarin, Florida for some 17 years beginning in 1867. It was complete with orange groves, large oak trees and sweeping moss. There, she and her family wintered from 1867-1884.

When talking to long-time folks in Mandarin you hear that she was an abolitionist who helped Black families, worked with children in the schools and advanced the Freedman’s Bureau. She was well-known in the area for having written the runaway best-seller, Uncle Tom’s Cabin in two volumes in 1852.

The book was such a hit that she was invited to Washington, DC to meet with President, Abraham Lincoln in 1862 where he is known to have said, “Why, Mrs. Stowe, right glad to see you. So, you’re the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war”. In Stowe’s book, Men of Our Times, she wrote of Lincoln, “Lincoln was a strong man, but his strength was of a peculiar kind; it was not aggressive so much as passive, and among passive things it was like the strength not so much of a stone buttress as of a wire cable. It was strength swaying to every influence, yielding on this side and on that to popular needs, yet tenaciously and inflexibly bound to carry its great end. Probably by no other kind of strength could our national ship have been drawn safely through so dreadful a channel.”

It is said that she was at first critical of the President but after meeting and talking with him, she softened and found common ground. President Abraham Lincoln is best known for “preserving the Union, ending slavery and creating the possibility of civil and social freedom” for Blacks.

“Harriet Beecher Stowe was born in 1811 and died in 1896. Her anti-slavery book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin was an immediate bestseller and rumour has it that she was paid by the paddle boats of the time to sit on her Mandarin home on the St. Johns River and write so folks could see her from their excursion.

Stowe and her family helped organize Church of Our Savior Episcopal in Mandarin. She was raised by Calvinist, Lyman Beecher who spent his time as a preacher. She was married to Calvin Stowe, a professor and Biblical scholar who sought to enhance the public education in the United States. He became Stowe’s literary agent when her book became a world-wide success and was very involved with the Church or Our Savior growth.

In a letter to her brother, Charles Stowe wrote of her plans mentioning her reasoning for finding a place in Florida and her involvement with the church.

“My plan of going to Florida, as it lies in my mind, is not in any sense a mere worldly enterprise. I have for many years had a longing to be more immediately doing Christ’s work on earth. My heart is with that poor people whose cause in words I have tried to plead, and who now, ignorant and docile, are just in that formative stage in which whoever seizes has them.”

“Corrupt politicians are already beginning to speculate on them as possible capital for their schemes, and to fill their poor heads with all sorts of vagaries. Florida is the State into which they have, more than anywhere else, been pouring. Emigration is positively and decidedly setting that way; but as yet it is mere worldly emigration, with the hope of making money, nothing more.”

“The Episcopal Church is, however, undertaking, under direction of the future Bishop of Florida, a wide-embracing scheme of Christian activity for the whole State. In this work I desire to be associated, and my plan is to locate at some salient point on the St. John’s River, where I can form the nucleus of a Christian neighborhood, whose influence shall be felt far beyond its own limits.”

It was well-known Stowe also wanted to help her 4th son, Frederick who was troubled with drinking problems. She felt he could find worth and value working the grove of Mandarin. There, she felt he could find a place he could work and escape his worries. He managed the citrus farm for a while but after a time, he left going to San Francisco. She never saw him again.

Stowe and her family spent some 17 years in Mandarin and became well-known in the community. Even today, people are celebrating her life at the Museum and in remembering a life well lived.

See you Tomorrow,

Nan

Sources: Mr. Lincolnswhitehouse . Org, Mandarin Museum, Google Search Q and A, Emmett Looman article, Exploring Florida, Wikipedia, Personal visits to Mandarin.

Category: History, Mandarin, Neighborhoods, People | Comments Off

March 2

Hoyt E. Thurmond and Purity Cones in Springfield

Born a Georgia boy, Hoyt. E Thurmond had found a wife in Minnie Lee and was living at 425 West 23rd Street in the “Sunshine State” by 1933. Hoyt was born on December 8, 1889. After leaving Georgia, he married Minnie and they moved to the Springfield area in Jacksonville, Florida.

Hoyt and Minnie- Photo-Linda Lee Hollister

Just around the corner in Springfield area in Jacksonville, he opened a cone company supplying fresh ice cream cones to small mom and pop parlours; crispy and fresh . Hoyt’s business license was filed in 1933 with the state of Florida.

Linda Lee, one of his granddaughters says she remembers eating the small broken pieces left inside of the machine from the freshly-made cones. It was “oh-so good” she remembers after reminiscing about her Papa’s cone business. Gail, another granddaughter said they would often ride in a delivery truck being a part of the distribution process that came with expanding the business throughout the city of Jacksonville. That trip always resulted in the treat of “eating a broken cone or two”, she said.

Purity Cone Truck with Mr. Parker and Hoyt Thurmond. Photo: Linda Lee Holister

The Purity Cone Company of Jacksonville, was located on 20th Street in the Springfield area. Springfield was established in Duval County in 1871 as an actual development of John Norton, builder and financier. After the 1901 fire of Jacksonville, the city expanded its growth and Springfield was one area brought to life to include large stately homes and big beautiful facades and front porches with a variety of businesses to meet the needs of the growing population. It had its own “Main Street” and the area became popular as well as businesses and churches for residents of the city. Lots were small but many homes were grandeur for that day and time. Houses ranged in sizes from two bedrooms to as many as 6 bedrooms. Some homes were two story including a wrap-around porch while others were one level The Thurmond’s lived in a three bedroom home with a nice-sized front porch, on the west end of the street in a very nice single story small bungalow.

Hoyt home on 23rd Street, Jacksonville. Photo- Ramey Collection.

The Purity Cone Company was founded in Minneapolis 1929. It appears Hoyt would contract with the company, get his own equipment and start his company in 1933 selling fresh cones from a batter “ consisting of cake flour, sugar, syrup, vanilla, shortening, and salt”. Cones were made ranging in size from 4 to 5 inches. They were made fresh in the Jacksonville location and distributed city-wide using a truck.

There have been other Purity businesses in the United States related to cones such as the Purity Ice Cream of Ithaca, New York, Tennessee and Minneapolis. The Purity Cone business of Jacksonville appears to be an outgrowth for the cone business and not particularly ice cream. Hoyt and Minnie had three daughters, Wilma Lee Beal, Gladys Elma Weathers, Alice, and two sons, Jones and Tommy, all of Jacksonville, Florida. He died March 26, 1958 and he and Minnie are buried in Evergreen Cemetery.

Hoyt and Minne Thurmond-Photo Linda Lee Holister

While currently driving around the Springfield neighborhood, the family home still stands. The Purity Cone Company, a well-remembered memory to the family is gone because of the 20th Street expressway that has taken it’s place. The memories are still there with those who remember. “Cone crumbles are still good” said grandchild, Gail Thurmond.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

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January 8

New Years Shoot-Out in Nanville

On 5:53 PM January 1, 2023, a call was received on the cell phone from a “No Caller ID”. Not being sure who it was, no answer was made. After the cell phone ping, listening to the message was immediate. The “No Caller ID” was from a Jacksonville police officer about a break-in report in what he knew as the Biltmore area. Over time, he would learn this was also referred to as “Nanville”. Nanville is bound by Old Kings Road, Lane Avenue, Commonwealth and Edgewood Avenue. It was established somewhere around 1984.

The break-in occurred between December 29- December 31 and the thief got away with all of the lights in the house. In other words, the robber stripped the entire house of electrical wiring and more than likely rolled it all away inside of a yellow top, also known as a recycle bin. The police were called and a police report was made regarding the “Nanville theft”.

The property at 5345 was once a very nice home and owned back in-the-day by the Driggers family. As recent as last year, their names were still carved on the wooden towel rack in the bathroom and was only removed due to a remodel.

The premises had been vacant for over 6 months and listed on multiple MLS realtor sites. The hope was to sell it quickly during this buyer’s market 2022 but up to this point, no takers.

Now, with no electricity wiring, it would be even harder to unload. The house listing was dropped in price due to the electrical wire issue and right away investors were willing to take a look at the opportunity.

The insulation and theft mess from stripping out wires from the ceiling had not been cleaned so when a call came in to view the property on Saturday morning, January 7th at 10:00 AM, a trip with a broom, mop and trash bags to the vacant house was made.

After the clean up, and about 8:31 AM shots rang out in the neighbourhood. “Pow”, “Pow” “Pow” went the Jacksonville officers pistol with shouts… It sounded like “Police! “Police!” There was a skirmish and a small dog rounded the above-ground pool at the end of the road as several officers took off running after the suspect on foot. There were four police cars, #3515, #2749, #1014 and a fourth moving too fast to see the number but all, located on the West end of the neighbourhood with one speeding toward 5345, while another went west on that same road.

Neighbors began to come out of their homes watching all of this commotion. A young mother apparently feared with her children by her side and ran back in to safety. To my knowledge, they did not catch the thief.

After getting my own self to safety, my girls got this text:

“I’ve been in a police shoot-out in Nanville but I’m okay. Just letting you know.”

If you ever want to get a quick call-back from a family member just tell them you’ve been in a shoot-out. They will call right away. Oh, and if they catch the scrapper, I’ll let you know. 1-8-22

See you tomorrow,

Category: History, Holidays, Neighborhoods, Random Posts | LEAVE A COMMENT

January 5

Could That Be Isaiah D. Hart’s Wagon?

Indeed it was not but I could visualize just the same.

Found in the yard of Lachapelles off Bulls Bay Rd.

I felt as if I might have found a remnant of the old Isaiah David Hart Plantation which was called “Paradise” and located West of Bulls Bay in West Jacksonville, Florida in the 1800s. Of course, Hart himself would have more than likely been riding on a wooden buckboard, buggy or carriage. Hart established the town of Jacksonville, Florida along the River St. Johns in 1822. He is counted by many as the actual 7th resident in the city and his brother, Daniel being the 8th but Hart is most known for being responsible for platting the city and having the streets laid out for an actual town which was called Cowford .(There are some who say the 2nd resident but…). Cowford, as it was called, was at a narrow place in the river. Its renaming was later suggested by John Warren to be named after Andrew Jackson the first provisional governor. Hart grew the area and later had a thriving Plantation West of Jacksonville in near-now called Marietta.

Today, I witnessed tall and I mean huge pine trees, willowing moss hanging from the massive Oak trees, dirt roads and several tributaries seemingly flowing from the Cedar River. Birds of every kind, especially blue jays, were talking among themselves and flying all around. All of those were marked items describing Hart’s former, some 2,000 acre plantation. There was no obvious log cabin or out-buildings built in the mids 1800’s that were present in today’s visit to the Bulls Bay area, but there was a buggy that I could definitely envision Hart or maybe his son, Ossian, who also lived on this land and was the 10th Governor of Florida riding in. (I am quite sure that was not his either but I still could envision it).

Over the years, this rural area has been used for sand excavating, sewage disposal, solid waste, borrow pits, drainage, reservoirs, waste land, marsh, swamps, animal out-growth, and of late, a slew of trucking and auto businesses tucked often on dead-end streets along Bulls Bay, Commonwealth Avenue and Prichard Road. The majority of the land though is pristine and unbothered. There are acres and acres of tall timber and agricultural promise.

This seems to have been built in the 1920’s or later-

In 1999, the City of Jacksonville purchased 1,222 acres which is now called Bulls Bay Preserve. There are a lot of wetlands, and tributaries from the Trout River, Ortega River and Cedar Creek waterways.

The Baldwin- Rail Trail is on the edge of this area with opportunities to hike and ride mountain bikes in flat Florida. There is even a “small waterfall” which is highlighted on the JaxParks page.

Walking/Biking trail running East and West parallel to commonwealth.

You are encouraged to visit the area where Jacksonville ’s founder once lived.

See you tomorrow,

Sources:

JaxParks, Visit Jacksonville, Jacksonvilleblogger.com, Wagon- Guy Lachepelle

Go visit: 8017 Old Plank Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32220

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January 1

San Marco Theatre Closed Today

Talking about some history! On the inside lobby of the San Marco Theatre stands a gazillion-ton masterpiece. (It’s huge!) (It’s heavy!). (It’s solid!) That is to say also, there is what some call one of the best film projectors ever made. It has been called a “cinographic treasure” and was used to project the movie to the screen. One can be purchased on eBay for upwards $3995. But the shipping fee? Hummmmmm.

Here is a quote from an almost 4 decade experienced projectionist about the Brenkert Light Projector:

“I am a retired projectionist (39 years experience) and prior to that, in the late 1940’s I was briefly employed at the Brenkert Light Projection Company (Or “Brenkert Light” or “BLPC” as we called it) in my hometown of Detroit (275 miles southeast of Petoskey!).

Yes (in my prejudiced opinion) the Brenkerts were possibly the BEST 35mm projector heads ever made in the U.S.A.”

The San Marco Theatre was built in 1938 about the time this piece of equipment was becoming well-known, loved and used in the movie industry. Today, the one in the lobby stands as a testament to progress as the Brenkert was once the famed projector where now, a small computer along with a small boxed-size projector is used.

Over the years, the theatre has served Jacksonville well. The Brenkert projector was the equipment that the famed Civil War movie, Gone With The Wind was shown using at its premier in Atlanta. I wonder how many times it was shown at the San Marco Theatre in Jacksonville?

The last movies shown at the San Marco was Love Actually and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. While I was there yesterday, people were just walking in, looking around and talking about the loss of this iconic movie theatre. One man said that he found it interesting that he moved back home to care for his ailing and ageing father who was the “ultimate Grinch” so he was a believer in the character of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

TSG bought the San Marco property in 2022 for $3.35 million from businessmen, Ryan and Jonathan Davis, Frank Sanchez and Andrew Oetjen. The new owners indicated that they would leave the outside facade as is-Iconic. I just wonder if the deal came with the Brenkert projector?

See you tomorrow,

Sources: film-tech. Com , Jaxdailyrecord, Robert Sprague- 1-1-23

Category: Buildings, Business, Neighborhoods | LEAVE A COMMENT

August 29

Birds Eye View of Jacksonville, Fl

On the wall in the Brandenburg Hall of Oak Lawn Cemetery off of San Jose Blvd, there is a massive and beautiful map of Jacksonville, Florida dated 1876. If ever you can, you should drop by and take a look. It will cause you to want to take a photo. The same arial view of Jacksonville can be found in the Library of Congress.

This map has the seal and number so I assume it is one of the authentic copies of the city, like the one donated to the Library of Congress by Alvord, Kellogg and Campbell dated 1840. This seal indicates 1876.

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” Matthew 5:14

See you tomorrow,

Category: Government, Neighborhoods, Random Posts, Visit This | LEAVE A COMMENT

August 19

Vaughan’s Little Library

My cousin, David Paul is a licensed contractor and when asked about building a “Tiny Library” box did not hesitate. He built it with left over items he had in his wood and metal piles. After he was finished, I was able to pick it up while visiting our family reunion in Hampton, South Carolina. It has been on the corner of our Jacksonville Crystal Springs property since about 1997.It was built with fine wood and a metal roof. What a beauty. (Thanks, cousin!).

Since it was placed there using a braced 4 x 4, it has served the community well. When full, the library contains about 50 volumes depending on the size of the books. It has stayed full and has on occasion had a paper box placed under it with additional books. We discourage that due to rain and weather concerns.

The digital world has hit us all full force and now-a-days many readers have reading devices and apps on their phones and computers to read books. The hand held books seem to becoming a thing of the past. This makes me so sad.

My Father and Mother were lovers of books. They built a brick room off of the back of the house dedicated to just books. We call it our library even today. It probably has 2,500 volumes in that small home.

The “Little Library outside was completely empty when I rode past yesterday. For sure, those using it are not following the rule: “Take One. Leave One”. I’m still grappling on what to do with this situation. I’d like to put a sign on the glass that reads: “ Karen took five books. She did not leave any in return. Do not be like Karen”. ” Take One. Give One.”Your thoughts? 8-19-22

See you tomorrow,

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August 16

Dinsmore Dairy

The Dinsmore Dairy that was in North Jacksonville probably dating back to the early 1900’s to the 1970’s is no longer producing milk for the Jacksonville and beyond community but there are still artifacts and remaining relics of the business. Today, I came across a metal milk jar container and was glad to find it.

The dairy at one time had one of the largest groups of Guernsey cattle and the Johnson family were known for producing milk for the community. I went to school with Earl A. Johnson’s son, Andy, graduating in 1971 so I remember those days.

The house where the milk was processed has been turned into a pretty home set back among beautiful oak and pecan trees. Hanging from them are wispy Spanish moss. Some of the old milk barns can be seen from the dead-end street but much of the farm out-barns and other farming structures like silos’ are gone. Around the old farm are two subdivisions dotted with brick homes. While there is still a semblance of the country, the country has come to town out there.

See you tomorrow,

8-16-22

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August 7

Jacksonville Trolley- 1926

So, today, we have bikes, motorcycles, busses, cars, the skyway and even 2 wheel scooters on the downtown streets for transportation. Back-in-the-day, there was the trolley cars that stretched form Orgega, to downtown, downtown to Panama Park, downtown to Springfield and of course, Riverside.

While riding in the Riverside area yesterday, I came across the trolley drawing of yesteryear. ‘Love it. Don’t you? I saw no artist’s name but honors to that gifted person or people.

The Historical Society did a post on trolleys saying that the last riders on December 12, 1926 were Judge Burton Barrs(Barrs Street), the street car President, J. P. Ingle( Ingle Street), Mayor John Alsop( Main(Alsop)Street Bridge fame), C.D. Gay, a man who had ridden on the first electric car. The ending ride took place at Forsyth and Ocean. (Photo: Jacksonville Historical Society, Painting is on the wall in Brooklyn, Riverside area.Artist unknown).

See you tomorrow ,

8-7-22

Category: Neighborhoods, Transportation | LEAVE A COMMENT