About – Jacksonville Blogger

The Journalist in Me

Sometimes I think I missed my calling. While in graduate school we were told to get an interview in a place that if we could choose to work, we would seek employment. My choice was the Florida Times Union. In my mind…If I could have any job in the world, it would be a reporter/writer/photographer for the Florida Times Union. I made an appointment with an editor and sat in her office for about an hour at 1 Riverside Avenue( now demolished-2022) discussing the possibilities.

I never pursued that job and for almost 40 years loved being a teacher, administrator and for a few years, adjunct professor at UNF teaching a teacher’s course. Looking back, I was so happy in the education field. On the side and in my free time, I spent hours photographing, writing and publishing stories. That continues to this day. There has always been a journalist inside of me even as a youngster.

Having an interest in writing causes one to save stories, old documents and collect memorabilia related to writing. My files are many and it is a constant thing to keep up with what has been collected such as unique items, pens, pencils, letters, documents, photos, old newspapers and the like. There are five things that are especially unique that I’ve saved over the years: 1. Two authentic bound huge newsprint books from the early 1920 Florida times Union years. 2. A collection of vintage, old and rare ink pens. 3. Unique historical items, letters, documents, related to America and her people including Presidents, Royalty and Rosa Parks; a personal favorite. 4. Literally thousands of photographs. 5. Jacksonville stuff in general.

There is no way of knowing how differently my life would be if I had gone the path of a newspaper girl but I am grateful that I got the life of both.

Still, I wonder what life I would have had as a full time reporter? In the meantime, I’ll see you tomorrow as I report from the sidelines.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Category: About, History, People, Random Posts | LEAVE A COMMENT

July 26

The Career

My father, Alec P. Vaughan, worked at the naval air station NAS and at Cecil during his career. Daddy began his Army career in South Carolina where he signed up and then spent time in World War II. After the war was over and victory won, he returned to Jacksonville, Florida to marry my Mother, Geneva Long who was already in the city.

She met him at Camp Blanding where he was honorably discharched. They were married at the Riverside Baptist Church and began their lives together living in the Riverside area and later purchasing a house on Lowell Avenue in Jacksonville.

He would go on and work a civil service job at NAS and Cecil throughout his career. Daddy was hard-working not only at the workplace but he came home to complete various projects to make our lives easier. My Mom was a stay at-home Mom with a tender heart and fun leanings. We never lacked for something to do and were always on the move.

See you tomorrow,

Category: About, Military, People | LEAVE A COMMENT

July 22

The Early Years

The St. Luke hospital where I was born is not even in the Springfield area any more. I was the 3rd child of Alec Peeples Vaughan, Jr. and Geneva Kathryn Long Vaughan. My older sister , Kathryn Beatrice, was 6 years older and my brother, Alec Patrick was 3 years older. We lived at 2685 Lowell Avenue on the Westside of the city only miles from town.

My father worked at the naval air station NAS and at Cecil during his career. Daddy was hard-working not only at the workplace but he came home to complete various projects to make our lives easier. My Mom was a stay at-home Mom with a tender heart and fun leanings. We never lacked for something to do and were always on the move.

During my young years, we spent a lot of time with my grandparents, Lula and Clifford Long, who lived on Fitzgerald Street between what is now Interstate 10 and Beaver Street. My grandfather came here to get a job which prompted the entire family to come here and make Jacksonville home. We all have loved Jacksonville and do to this day.

See you tomorrow,

Category: About | LEAVE A COMMENT

July 21

The Neighborhood

Growing up, our area was called “the Woodstock neighborhood”. It was where we lived, played and loved. We loved our area. At the time we lived there, the houses were middle to low income type homes. When my parents purchased the home it was new and was located in the Woodstock Park area of Jacksonville, Florida.

The war had ended and with so many soldiers coming home, the Jacksonville market was flooded with young soldiers and their families looking for places to live. This neighbourhood was new and houses were going fast.

Daddy tells the story that the two of them went on a bus to look at the homes. They walked the neighbourhood and returned to the sales office with one picked out. When they put down the money to purchase it, the sales agent told them that house had just been sold. They were disappointed and as they went to leave, he called them back to look on the house map. He said there was one home left without a deposit and they could have it but it would be best to put the money down so as to guarantee the sale. They bought the house sight unseen.

2685 Lowell Avenue was a 3 br, 1 ba wooden house with a stand-alone garage. It had a century oak by the drive way and “quite beautiful”, my Dad said. We lived in that home until I was about 7. My parents purchased a 10 acre lot on Crystal Springs Road where they built a house and moved the family.

Going back over into “the neighborhood”, it seems so small and I hate to say it but old, dirty and run down. Places change…

Back in the day, it was new, clean and lovely. I remember that huge and I mean yuge oak tree by the drive, It’s no longer there either. Things change.

In my childhood, it was shade and beautiful and… too big to even climb.

See you tomorrow,

Category: About | LEAVE A COMMENT

July 20

Welcome to Jacksonville Blogger.com

Today is July 20th, 2022 and this is my first post on Jacksonville Blogger.com. I hope to blog a lot about our fair city.

I was born in Jacksonville and have loved it since a child. While growing up, my parents only had one car and of course, my father needed it to get to work so my mother would drag the 3 of us, Kathy, Patrick and myself on the bus and we’d go to downtown Jacksonville.

Back in the day ( 1950’s) downtown Jacksonville was hustling and bustling. The great places downtown were those such as J. C. Pennys, Furchgotts, Walgreens Drug store, the Florida Theatre, Hemming Park the old post office and more….

I wonder about your experiences with our fair city.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Category: About | Comments Off