Jacksonville Blogger – Page 10 – See Jax.. Say Jax.. Blog Jax ! • Jacksonville Blogger

First Woman Funeral Business Owner, First Black Funeral Director, First Hearse(Well Second)

Jacksonville celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2022. The beginning of the city was documented as being platted in 1822 only a year following Spain releasing Florida to the United States. The Sesquicentennial booklet of 1972 indicates there were “ fully 250 people up and down the river in 1821”. They were called “Inhabitants of the St. Johns”. The land of Cowford, on the Northside where Jacksonville was to grow was owned by Lewis Z. Hogans, John Brady and Isaiah D. Hart.

A town was laid out at the insistence of Isaiah David Hart. “They came by covered wagon and boxcar, bumping along the Kings Road from Georgia, filtering down from the Carolinas and Virginia. They came too by sailboat or sloop, or simply in a jammed-packed canoe” writes the author of the booklet.

With 250 people along the St Johns River, there was a need for caring for the lost, dying and the dead. That ’s where the hearse was established. The hearse would carry the dead through the stages of loss to their resting place. The word hearse is a “middle English word and became associated with a horse and carriage transporting the deceased”. Early on, the horse-drawn carriage was used to carry the sick and the dead from place to place. Doctors traveled with a flat-back buckboard used to carry patients and people when needed. Over time, it was customised to meet the need and eventually was specific to funeral home use.

The Florida Morticians Association indicates that the first Black-owned funeral director and home in Jacksonville was run by Japhus M. Baker in 1895. It was located at 767 W. Beaver Street in Jacksonville according to reports. Wyatt Geter, his nephew was born in 1883, is said to have become the first Black man to become a licensed undertaker. His home was at 441 Beaver Street was occupied by his wife, Alice, Mother, Fannie Presley and brother Frank. Geter is listed in the 1940 census as being 83.

Wooden pews were used in many of the early funeral homes. Hillman-Pratt Walton Funeral home where one of the first Black licensed funeral directors once served still has those pews according to Anthony Walton who runs the business. It began in 1900 and has the original curtains and Bible from the days of Pratt. Pratt, according to Walton built his own caskets and had a factory on the 2nd floor of the funeral home. The Pratt family, according to Florida Memory, also lived on the 2nd floor. According to the Daily Record the business began in 1900 by Pratt and “operated in the 400 block Broad Street until moving into the building at 527 W. Beaver street in 1915” . It closed in 2019. The new owner, Eric Adler wishes to preserve the history. Pratt is also the founder of the Florida Negro Embalmers and Mortician’s Association Dan McDonald reported.

Early on, Jacksonvillians used wagons of sorts for carrying the deceased. By 1909, H. D. Ludlow of Chicago was credited as having used a “rebooted Cunningham horse-drawn hearse body remounted on a Thomas bus chassis by Coey’s Livery Company” for an actual funeral procession; the first of its kind. There is believed to be the birth of the funeral carriage.

According to the Begg’s Museum in Madison, Florida, Jacksonville’s Samuel Allen Kyle of Moulton- Kyle Funeral Home, a Jacksonville undertaker ordered, along with T. J. Beggs, Sr. the first two Dodge hearses in Florida. The first one was delivered by train to Beggs in Madison, Florida distinguishing him as the “first” to own a motorized Hearst in Florida. S.A. Kyle’s motorized hearse was delivered to Jacksonville second being the first in Jacksonville but the second in Florida. The Begg’s hearse has been remodelled and is on the floor in their museums. Seeing it, we can get an idea of what was used in our city by S. A. Kyle Funeral Home in 1919.

Beggs Hearse ordered along with one by S. A. Kyle of Jacksonville, Fl-Photo-Beggs Museum

Looking back at the first funeral homes in Jacksonville, one is documented to 1851, when Calvin Oak, known as a “gunsmith, funeral director and watchmaker” moved his family from Vermont to Jacksonville for health reasons. He would live some 30 years building several businesses in the city including a gun factory which manufactured barrels, cartridges and all things related to guns. He owned and operated a jewellery store on Bay Street. In 1856, he and his son Byron Edgar, opened a funeral home business which was eventually was owned by Harry S. Moulton and S. A. Kyle and of the Moulton and Kyle Funeral Services. Calvin’s son, Byron and brother would continue with his businesses even adding tomb stones being a “marble cutter” at 25 Laura Street by 1870. Oak who died July 26, 1881 and was carried by horse and wagon to the Old Cemetery for burial. Byron died October 28, 1889 and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery.

Oak family-Mortuary and Stone business-Florida Memory

The Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission documents a sketch of the early design of the Moulton-Kyle funeral home. It was located west of Main Street and on the north side of Union Street.The 1914 drawing by architects Earl Mark and Leroy Sheftall would come to fruition over time. In 1976, the First Baptist of Jacksonville, Florida would have a block-size parking lot built across from it.

Entrance of the funeral home- Video grab- Channel 4

Over the years there were several owners until it closed in A brick garage was added in 1926. Harry Moulton died in 1936. The business fell to different businesses and finally closed in the 1960’s. It fell into disrepair and burned in 2022. The most recent owner of the building was Peeples Funeral Services, J. Robert Peeples, President, now operating a funeral home on Main Street of Jacksonville. A 1976 hearse was said to have been removed.

Moulton-Kyle hearse removed 2021- Credit-AbandonedFl S.E.

Moulton- Kyle Funeral Home: Library of Congress

Moulton & Kyle Funeral Record- AbandonedFl-SE

An interesting document found by “Abandoned Southeast”, an urban explorer in the defunct Moulton-Kyle funeral home was the information for the wife of William W. Adams who died on March 2 1914. It seems her body was prepared and she was shipped or sent by train to her hometown in Steuben County, New York. Her husband, William W. Adams would also be buried in NY beside her in 1931.

Both William and his wife Francis were buried in NY.

In 2009, Navy pilot Scott Speicher and graduate of Forrest High School and FSU was stationed at Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Fl. when he was the first American commit casualty of the Persian war. His plane was shot down in Iraq and when his remains were found 18 years was later met with crowds of people lining the streets to welcome him home in a bittersweet tribute.

Nancy Scott Speicher carried in closed hearse with Navy Seal on side-(US. Military Photo-Chief Specialist A. C Casullo)

Jacksonville Memory Gardens now has a fleet of hearses . Ramey

In February 2019, the following was posted about Sarah L. Carter with Sarah L. Carter Funeral Home: “Ms. Carter is the first African American woman in the state of Florida to open a funeral home from start-up and has marked her 17th year in the business as an independent owner.” Ms. Carter has a degree in Mortuary Science and a bachelor’s in Biblical studies.

Photo Credit: Sarah L. Carter Funeral Service website

Sarah L. Carter Funeral Home- New Kings Road

Sarah. L. Carter Funeral Home Fleet of hearses

Different hearses are used by various funeral homes. The services for police officer Jimmy Judge was honoured in 2023.

There are those who provide horse and buggy services even today. When I went to give my support and regards to the family of Queen Elizabeth II, a horse and carriage carried her to a hearse where she was taken to Windsor Castle to be buried. “God Save The Queen” was sung by her people as the coffin rode past. It was quite moving.

Queen Elizabeth II honors in London-2022- Photo:Ramey

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Category: Buildings, Cemeteries, History | Comments Off

February 10

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Mounted Unit

The Spanish conquistadors brought European horses to North America so we know that by the time Jacksonville, formerly called “Cowford” was established. Horses were a mainstay. With great grasslands, and water sources, horses were in fields for growth and expansion as they adapted to their surroundings.

The city of Jacksonville police used horses dating back to 1822 when the first sheriff was James Dell. When you think about the 1869 headquarters for McMurray Livery Sale & Transfer Company at 220 East Forsyth Street, you can imagine that horses were of importance in the early years of the sheriff’s department . After the Great fire in 1901, another stable was built at that location and had a thriving horse business.

Livery Stable on Forsyth Street (Ramey Collection)

Little is known of the policing efforts during this period but Jacksonville was getting well established by 1832 including setting up the government which included law and order. By 1845, “all free males were to participate in evening patrol duty” so there had to be some mischief going on for so many to be asked to “participate”.

When the Civil War began, policing was done by the soldiers and so from about 1865-1869 patroling was under martial law which does not take away from the fact that mounted horses were used during this time by Union forces. The automobile would not come to Duval County until the first month of 1900.

Florida Mounted Police ( Florida Memory photo).

By 1888 James Hoey was serving as Chief of Police. The mode of transportation was horse, carriage and paddy wagon. The bicycle was gaining popularity at that time but could people afford them? The first bicycle squad for the Jacksonville police was in 1897.

Florida Memory of a mounted police protecting Pres. McKinley.

In 1895 the first patrol wagon was used with 2 horses pulling. Also prominent during this time was the trolley and streetcars that ran on tracks throughout Jacksonville, Fl. Early trolleys and street cars were pulled by horses. Over time horses were replaced by motorized cars .

The first car to come to Jacksonville was on January 4, 1900. The Locomobile Stanley No.2 was purchased by Charles A. Clark. It could travel 40 mph and had a steam-motor. It would take time for citizens to grasp the enormity of owning a car and also to pay for it thus the horse, buggy and on occasion the bicycle was still prominent. The Sheriff’s department was still using horses.

With the car gaining popularity, the police department of Jacksonville established a “traffic squad” for downtown streets in 1919. The department was growing and by 1926 the Liberty Street Police building was completed. The automobile was replacing horse details and the change from mounted police and wagons to automobiles came after 1900 when Charles A. Clark, from Jacksonville ordered and had delivered the first car to arrive in Florida.

Charles A. Clark with the first car in Florida. (Florida Memory photo).

The automobile would prompt changes in laws and ordinances and by 1903 the speed limit was 6 mph. There were 32 cars in town at this time. By 1905 there were a total of 166 cars autos traveling the dirt roads and some gravel streets of Duval. The population in Jacksonville was 28,429 at this time so transportation by and large was by horse and carriage. Jacksonville was the largest city in Florida at this time. Financially, a horse was more cost-effective also.

In 1911 there were approximately 1,120 cars in the city. That year the police department acquired its first car. Mounted police were still in use for the department. Also, a “traffic squad” for downtown was established with the first traffic lights being installed in 1924.The horse would be less used as time went forward and the auto industry increased.

There is little mention of the mounted police for Jacksonville but there are references that indicate the use of the horse which was disbanded in 1911 to make way for the newer transportation options such as trolleys, streetcars, bicycles, motorcycles and the automobile.

Florida East Coast transportation.( Florida Memory).

The mounted police would return to Jacksonville in 1942 with little mention. In 1982 horses were used for crowd control, crime prevention and community engagement. In 2012 there were 5 horses on the Mounted Police squad. Mayor Alvin Brown’s administration cut the budget for the program leaving the canine unit in place. Horses were taken from the West Duval Street location in LaVilla and moved to the Lannie Road prison yard also known as the Montgomery correctional Center and prison farm where there were acres of grass and room to live easy. They were tended to by staff and inmates and received visits from their former riders.

At Super Bowl XXXIX, which was held in Jacksonville February 6, 2005 at Alltell Stadium the mounted police were used.

In January 2020 Duke, the newest addition graduated from his training program. All of the police horses receive training and the riders work with the horses for continued focus.

In 2022, when the Governor of Florida visited the Diamond D ranch, the mounted police were there more for a community service effort than for patrol. However, should there be a concern, they were all ready to do their duty and provide security. Guests were able to see their presence, and pet the horses.

Funding again was provided for the unit in 2021. There are 6 horses in the current unit: Bandit, Midnight, Duke, Dutch, Jaxx and Judge. Judge completed his training this year and was named in honor of Jimmy Judge a former police officer. Judge and his rider were at his memorial held for Officer Jimmy Judge in January of 2023.

Tribute to Jimmy Judge (JSO Facebook page photo-2021)

Judge” is named after 30-year police veteran, Assistant Chief Jimmy Judge, who is currently battling ALS or more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Judge and his handler attended Office Judge’s home-going event in 2023.

Please help us in welcoming our newest member to the team. We hope you will say “hi” to “Judge” when you see him out and about in #Jacksonville.(JSO Facebook page-2021)

Current officers in the unit: Sergeant B. Rhoden, Officer J. Alexander, Officer M. Bergo, Officer T. Dudley, Officer M. Reddish.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Mounted Unit

1076 West Duval Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32204

Sources: James B. Crooks, Cowart, 1976 Annual Report: Dale Carson, J. Bailey, Mounted Police visit.2-10-2023. Feel free to use all information with credit to “Ramey Collection”.

Category: Animals, Government, Transportation | Comments Off

February 7

The Value of a Jacob’s Jeweler’s Coin

The 1890 Store Jacob’s Jewelers Closed the last day of January 2023.

On the day following the closure of Jacob’s Jewelers, a store that has been in Jacksonville since 1890, I received from a person I did not even know, a bronze-looking “Jacob’s” token. On the front, it has an engraved diamond symbol with the words, “Jacobs” at the top and at the bottom in circular fashion, “Fine Jewelers since 1890”. On the back it has the logo and words, “Member of the Fine Jewelers Guild” and in circular fashion, “Redeemable against any purchase of over $100* Twenty Five Dollars”. So, my new friend, who sent this, gave me a token now worth far more than $25 since it now is certainly a collector’s item. Thank you new friend, Sandra J. D.

I had been online reviewing items people collect in Jacksonville and a person posted that she had some coins and willing to give them to interested people. People can be nice. She mailed one to me free of charge and I even asked to pay. When she wrote “No need to pay me, I’d rather see them go to someone whom likes these, I promised to “pay it forward” and I will.

The envelope was sent with her name at top on the left and the coin tucked into a nice plastic, clear-faced coin container. Grateful. At the moment it sits prominently in my den so I can see it.

I visited Jacobs Jewelers last month after learning they were relocating and talked with Roy and Delores Thomas who bought Jacobs Jewelers in 1968. The building where Jacobs Jewelers is located at the corner of Laura and Adams is where our now-famed Jacksonville clock sits. The Greenleaf Building was bought by JWB Real Estate. Apparently, the old clock which had once sat at the old Jacob’s Bay Street location would remain a Jacksonville landmark and icon since the Thomases donated it to the city some years ago. It is a 15 foot tall Seth Thomas clock and supposedly only one of the two left in the world. It is iconic in that people still “meet at the clock” and taken photos at that Laura and Adams location. That’s a story for another day.

The Thomases initial thought was they would relocate Jacobs Jewelers but as time went on, they changed their thinking and decided to “retire”. I think that both with beautiful grey hair, will find that their kids and grandkids will probably love the time they will be able to spend with them. The current signs in the windows say “Retirement Sale”. They moved the “Moving Sale” signs after their wrestling with moving the location vs retiring to a new life after over fifty-five years.

Looking from the outside of the store, it’s difficult to see if the business is open. It’s dark-looking going in but when inside, the beauty of the merchandise was stunningly brilliant. There was in all of the glass cases beautiful jewerly of every kind including, watches, rings, bracelets and throughout the store their were other items on shelves and tucked in corners and cabinets. I went during the Christmas season and found it full of seasonal decorations including at least 2 Christmas trees.

The 132 year old store has had a great run in Jacksonville. There are a lot of different stories telling of it’s great beginning on Bay Street and now it comes to a close leaving the 208 N. Laura Street address at the corner of Adams Street.

It will be missed as will Roy and Deloris Thomas but they will be cashing in their tokens for full value in a new life.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Category: Buildings, History, People | LEAVE A COMMENT

February 5

The Chinese Spy Balloon Could Have Drifted To Jacksonville!

When the, what was thought and was, a Chinese balloon, drifted across the United States beginning sometime about January 28th, 2023, the trajectory was unclear. By Wednesday of the next week, we thought it could come Jacksonville way. The Weather Authority trajectory indicated it would go across the Carolina’s which was a little above Duval County but who knew?

The powers that be decided not to shoot it down over civilian spaces so they waited for it to travel over the Atlantic Ocean. The huge weather-type balloon, they say the size of three busses began being noticed somewhere in Alaska. NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defence Command, Brigadier General Pat Ryder said on Thursday, February 2, 2023, “The United States government has detected and is tracking a high-attitude surveillance balloon that is flying over the continental United States”.

They indicated it was not a “military or physical threat to people on the ground at this time” according to General Glen VanHerck.

According to ABC News, a correspondent said the balloon was the size of “three busses and complete with a technology bay”. It seemed to be without power when looking at it on television newscasts and seemed to drift with the jet stream moving eastward. I thought it was possibly coming our way. Who knew?

The balloon was said to enter the United States airspace in Alaska near the Aleutian Islands news reports posted. As it floated eastward, and the Weather Channel posted a possible trajectory, I thought we may have a balloon in our sky in the coming days.

Chase Doak Photograph of Chinese Balloon

On Wednesday, February 1st, a freelance Montana photographer Chase Doak photographed the balloon and his photo went viral and is now used on Wikipedia. ( That had to be exciting for him). He was a freelance photographer at the right place, at the right time and just did his thing….

Chase Doak Profile-Linked In

Tomorrow I’ll post a basic timeline of the event and no, the balloon did not come across Jacksonville way or to Jacksonville Beach . It ended up in the Atlantic Ocean though, up the way near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was shot down on Saturday, February 4th by a F22 Raptor fighter jet. The United States Military began recovery following that event.

It did not come here but, it was still too close for comfort.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Sources: ABC News, NOAA, RORAD, The Pentagon, Helen Cooper, Pentagon correspondent, Edward Wong, correspondent, Breitbart, Google, Personal viewing of news reports…

Category: Government, Military, Random Posts, Travel | Comments Off

February 4

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

February 2

Henry Ford and the Jacksonville Ford Plant

Henry Ford revolutionised the way of travel world-wide. The 1896 the quadricycle was the first vehicle on four bicycle wheels. It was powered by a four-horsepower engine.

With 12 investors the Ford motor company was incorporated in 1903. By 1907, the inventor had the now-famous scripted “Ford” logo.

HIs 1907, his first assembly line was in Highland Park, Michigan. He purchased a 130-acre tract of land and would build a factory to speed up wheels on the ground.By 1908, the Model T automobile was introduced and the assembly line was set up to mass produce autos. From there the auto industry was on the move and on the rise. According to Whitehousehistory . org, “Congress appropriated $12,000 for the purchase of the first two White House motor cars despite heated protests”. Pierce Arrow was the first chauffeur for President William Taft.

Whitehouse first car- William Taft- Photo- White House

Henry Ford was a busy man and traveled from place to place, even abroad. In time he had as many as 31 plants . This was all before the Great Depression.

Ford traveled on Flagler’s Florida east coast railway and at the invitation of Inventor Thomas Edison took his wife Clara and son Edsel to visit Fort Meyers, Florida They liked the vacation so well, Henry Ford bought a 2 story riverfront home there next to Edison.

With the auto industry booming, factories were being made and in 1924 Jacksonville, Florida would join Charlotte, NC, Chicago, Il, Memphis, Tn, Salt Lake City, UT in having an assembly-line plant. The Jacksonville, Florida factory was on the St. Johns Riverfront at 1900 Wambolt Street. It served from 1924-1932.

The Great Depression hit from 1929-1939 affecting so many businesses. It is believed the boom of the 1920’s, a stock market crash, poor management of the Federal Reserve and other causes brought about this downturn.The Jacksonville, Florida Ford plant was one of them. This period of serious economic depression affected everyone and the auto industry was hit hard. The Jacksonville plant closed in 1932. Over the years following, the land-area was used for parts and distribution which ended in 1968. From then until about 2015, various companies used the space including a wooden pallet manufacturing business.

The Jacksonville Historic Preservation group was in hopes of saving the Ford Manufacturing plant naming it a designated local landmark in 2003. In 2015, the same year it was purchased by Amkin Hill Street LLC, Henry Ford was inducted into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame. Over the years the factory building has been in disrepair and every day losing its former glory.

In October of 2022, Mike Mendenhall of the Jacksonville Daily Record announced that the “Jacksonville City Council will allow the owners of the historic former Ford Motor Co. factory in Talleyrand to demolish the 97-year old riverfront landmark for a possible maritime industrial redevelopment project”. This was a sad day for the historians of Duval County.

We’re living in sad days where our history is continually removed but , keep taking those photos so we can at least have the memories…..

The original Michigan Ford Motor Auto plant remains in tact. It was made a National Historic Landmark in 1978.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Sources: Ford Motor Company, Whitehouse. Org, Jacksonville Daily Record, Mike Mendenhall, Wikipedia, Personal visit to the plant-Ramey.2-2-23

Category: Business, History, People, Transportation | 1 Comment

January 29

Daniel Boone Was a Man…He Was a Big Man…

There was a metal monument of Daniel Boone, with his flintlock rifle and his dog placed on a stone at the corner of Bay Street in Jacksonville, Florida. Times Union photographer, Bob Self took a photo of this monument while photographing and profiling the emptying of the 1958- year courthouse. This Boone monument was placed at the corner of that building beneath a group of overgrown trees. I remember it well.

Self, photographer for the Times Union newspaper, wrote that the plaque was placed at the courthouse built in 1902 in November of 1921. Later, it was moved to the 1958 courthouse. I was a kid when I saw the one in Jacksonville, Florida and through the years, I remember seeing it when coming through the back doors with large, open glass at the old courthouse. It was there when I had jury duty back some 10 years ago that we got on and off of the jury bus which took us to lunch.

The marker was placed at the corner of Bay Street by the Courthouse

According to Tommy Townsend who talked with J. Hampton Rich, the organizer of this plaque project, he placed 358 of them from “Virginia Beach to San Francisco”. Jacksonville, Florida got one but why? No one really knows except, Daniel Boone was a folklore character. He was born in 1734 and died in 1820. Being an American pioneer, many still call him one of the “first folk heroes of the United States”. His fame of exploring and settling Kentucky, blazing though the Cumberland Gap and all the while dealing with the Indians. His story went far and wide and exploded for sure when the 1964 Daniel Boone television series came out. Fess Parker played Daniel Boone. Boone was known to be God-fearing and is said to have taken his Bible with him on his excursions.

It is unclear if Boone ever came to Jacksonville, Florida but his marker did and all because of the a campaign to keep the Boone name alive while highlighting and gaining members for the Boone Trail Highway Association. The association would raise money, have monuments made and take them to those who celebrated Boone and his life by their gifts and donations towards the plaques.

The 1958 courthouse was demolished and the new courthouse completed in 2012. The courthouse is gone. The monument is too. I have now walked the current courthouse grounds at 501 West Adams Street to see if it was removed from the old courthouse and placed at the new. I’ll keep you posted if things change but right now… no monument of Daniel.

Each of the markers highlight the fact that the metal is “From Battleship Maine”. The USS Maine (1889) was a Navy ship that sank in the Havana harbor which in simple terms help to bring about the Spanish-American war. The metal was used from that wreckage to make the plaques.

Apparently, Rich started the “Boone Trail Highway Association” to promote highway projects and he said to keep live the name of Daniel Boone. On HMdb. org, there is a “historical data base” that charts the Boone Trail Highway markers. From topics and information, to locations, the list is quite extensive. I did not see Jacksonville on the site though, so there’s that…..When I locate the Jacksonville Boone marker, I’ll up date you and them.

They say, even the great Babe Ruth was a member of his The Daniel Boone Highway Trail Association. While Ruth may have been a member, I feel like the man in Hillsville, Va who wrote: “We had no idea what Maine or Daniel Boone had to do with our town in Hillsville”.

Chester Harding Portrait of Daniel Boone

There are many who feel that same way. We really have no idea what Daniel Boone has to do with Jacksonville except for when we were growing up we would sing his song:

“Daniel Boone was a man Yes, a big man With an eye like an eagle And as tall as a mountain was he Daniel Boone was a man Yes, a big man He was brave, he was fearless And as tough as a mighty oak tree From the coonskin cap on the top of ol’ Dan To the heel of his rawhide shoe The rippin’-est, roarin’-est, fightin’-est man The frontier ever knew Daniel Boone was a man Yes, a big man And he fought for America To make all Americans free.“

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Sources: Openplaques, Daniel Boone Trail Highway Association, Bob Self, Florida Times Union, Wikipedia, Theme song sung by the Imperials, personal visit. 1/29/23

Category: Faith, People | LEAVE A COMMENT

January 28

Jacksonville’s Teacher in the Space Program

Many of us applied for the Teacher in Space program back-in-the-day. Teachers were invited to fill out some paperwork in order to be considered for the NASA space program. The paperwork was done by hand and mailed in. Having been a teacher for only about 9 years I applied anyhow. After a time, a letter was sent from NASA indicating if a person was in the running for a spot with NASA and the Teacher in Space program.

Mike Reynolds was born on March 30, 1954. He was a Jacksonville teacher who had grown up in Duval County and ended up being one of the final five contestants. He had attended Duval County schools and began teaching at Duncan U. Fletcher High School. Later, he left town to attend Thomas Edison State College in New Jersey and in 1982 had returned to receive a Masters at the University of North Florida right here in our city. He later received a Doctorate in science education and astronomy in 1990 from UF.

In 1985 Reynolds had applied for the Teacher in Space program and became one of the top 5 candidates. In 1986, Reynolds was teacher of the year at Fletcher High and from there he traveled to the Kennedy space center to be a part of the teacher in space program events and later would be invited to watch the Challenger space shuttle blast off into space.

On this cold day, January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger with 7 NASA astronauts aboard, lost their lives in a shuttle disaster only 73 seconds after take off. The cause of the explosion was cold weather when the 0-ring seal failed. It was a sad day for all of America and even the world. Jacksonville residents mourned the loss.

Mike Reynolds went on to work at Florida State College, Chabot Space and Science center, Meade Instruments and the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observation. He died October 15, 2019 at the age of 65. He had spent his whole career in the science, astronomy and in the education field.

For me, I probably could not have figured out the math.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

In honor of those who lost their lives, we name them and thank them for their service:

The last Challenger mission, dubbed STS-51L, was commanded by Francis R. “Dick” Scobee and piloted by Michael J. Smith. The other crew members on board were mission specialists Ronald E. McNair; Ellison S. Onizuka, and Judith A. Resnik; payload specialist Gregory B. Jarvis; and teacher S. Christa McAuliffe. (Credit: NASA).

Category: History, Transportation, Travel | LEAVE A COMMENT

January 27

Oliver Hardy and The Best Times in Jacksonville

In 1913, the singer/actor-obsessed Oliver Hardy of Georgia moved to Jacksonville in hopes to get a better opportunity in the film industry. At that time, Jacksonville, Florida was a hub for making movies and the Lubin Manufacturing company that produced and distributed films was a part of that success. At night, Hardy was a singer-actor and by day he worked at the Lubin Manufacturing Company, one that produced and distributed films. Jacksonville was a place for the cinematography industry for filming after summer wore off and was called the “winter film capital of the world” at one point.

Oliver Hardy was born in Columbia County; Harlem, Georgia. Today, that little town is growing in leaps and bounds with a population of over 3,000 people. Even as recent as yesterday, I saw logging trucks hauling off huge trees and the railroad tracks still rumbling from the sound of ingoing and outgoing train cars although there is no depot stop for passenger trains. In 1913, it is documented as having 10 passenger trains a day. In 1835, the train tracks were being laid from Augusta to Eatonton. Harlem, Georgia was a stop but the last passenger train came through in 1983. Now it’s only commercial. Interesting to me was that nearby there was a community called “Saw Dust”.

From the account written on the Harlem city website, in 1857, a Medical College of Augusta, just miles away moved to the area and sold land for a dollar an acre. He donated land for the Baptist and Methodist churches and for a school; now Harlem Middle School. Within 10 years, Newnan Hicks was known to quit his job for being asked to work on Sunday and thus wanted to have a town that did not sell liquor, moving down from Andrew J. Sanders, that process began and by 1870 the town was founded and named by a visiting New York relative from New York, thus “Harlem”.

The theatre where Hardy and his counter part, Stan Laurel performed was right there along the train tracks. I can imagine the whistle blew and rails rumbled time after time before, after and yes during performances. It is now a museum.

About the time Hardy moved to Jacksonville, he met and married Madelyn Saloshin, a pianist. A Lubin facility was opened at 750 Riverside Avenue in Jacksonville, Florida. Hardy played a small role in his first movie “Outwitting Dad”. That was only the beginning of his career. He would team with Stan Laurel and make more than 100 comedy films.

The Lubin Manufacturing Company, based out of Philadelphia was active from 1897-1916 with a studio in Jacksonville beginning in 1913. It was in the Lubin film company that Hardy was billed as “Babe Hardy and appeared in “ some fifty short” films. During those years, the company had legal battles with the Thomas Edison motion picture business, a “disastrous fire” at the main Lubin studio, destroying a great many negatives and World War II came causing additional losses. All of these things brought about a bankruptcy in 1916 with the end of the company and the company closing completely.

In terms of the film industry in Jacksonville, the Florida State Archives indicates that “the political atmosphere in Jacksonville turned against the movie industry due to accusations of fraud, ties to political corruption and fear of endangering the public welfare with elaborate stunt sequences.” The movie era in Jacksonville was over and it moved to Hollywood California.Basically, the only thing left of the film industry in Jacksonville is the Norman film building but that’s a story for another day.

According to ta Tampa Bay story Oliver Hardy wrote in a letter to a friend, “”The best times of my life were spent in Jacksonville.” So, those must have been some good days.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Sources: Silentera. Com, The Coastal, Wikipedia, Tampa Bay Times, Visit to Harlem 1/26/23.

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January 26

Jacksonville and “The Ship of Gold”

Jacksonville’s involvement with “The Ship of Gold” tells a story of respect, love, fear, betrayal, riches and more. Life magazine called it “the greatest treasure ever found” but did the treasure show the greatest or bring out the poverty in most all connected? After researching the story and finding the boat in Northeast Florida, the real question is, which is the “Ship of Gold?: The SS Central America?, The Arctic Discoverer?, or the man who hauled a great bit of the gold away and then disappeared? I’d say, all three.

Contemporary painting of Central America ship

My grandsons are nine, four and four. Knowing the ship was so near, it was a must-see, so we, their mother and me, did. Our nearby travels took us less than twenty minutes to see the Arctic Discoverer. It’s basically, just down the road. It’s an approximately 65 year old deserted boat along a dock in Green Cove Springs, Florida. We all totally enjoyed the trip. With Gary Kinder’s book in hand, we basically knew the story start to finish except for the details of what Thompson will now do.

Over 30 years ago, the 180 foot ship was called the A.T. Cameron. It was then sold and renamed the Arctic Ranger when an investor seeking to help Thompson’s exploration bought and repurposed it. He brought it to Jacksonville, and Green Cove Springs, had it painted light sky blue and white and for a “nominal” fee, rented it to Thompson for his exploration. Thompson and his crew took it to sea to find gold and lots of it. Along with it, they took a, what many called a “miraculous” 12,000 pound underwater robot named Nemo that could be deployed remotely. The trip was orchestrated by a young Tommy Thompson, an engineer who had a passion and drive to hunt down and find the sunken ship, SS Central America.

September 1857 the Central America ship carrying some 600 passengers was returning from the California Gold Rush when it sunk off of the coast of South Carolina due to a hurricane. Over 20 tons of gold, other treasures and some 400 lives were lost.

In 1985, Tommy Thompson, with his company, Recovery Limited Partnership, set out with a group of 141 investors to discover and find the Central America . The plan was to recover the treasures lost. He and his team used “Nemo”, the underwater vessel along with other recovery equipment to find and explore the bottom of the sea where it sunk. Using special computer equipment and savvy methods for capturing such , including robotics and far-advance oceanography tricks to the trade, the team not only found the Central America but was able to bring up a great amount of items from the wreckage including luggage, documents, the ship’s bell and millions of dollars of gold coins and gold bars.

By 1989, the crew discover the shipwreck bringing great attention to this disaster. After this incredible find, over 35 insurance companies sued Thompson saying their policies gave them rights to the gold. Through years of litigation, and continual protection of the shipwreck site, Thompson and his company were rewarded 92 percent of the recovered gold with the remainder to pay insurance companies. Within two years, Thompson sold his companies’ portion of the gold to California Gold Group for $52 million

Investors cried foul and said that Thompson never returned their investment money thus there were further lawsuits against Thompson. High profiled businessmen sued him including The Dispatch Printing Company, directors of the Columbus Exploration group and Donald Fanta, an investor along with nine technicians who helped with the discovery.

The Arctic Discover in 2023- Photo- Ramey

In March of 2012 Thompson filed for bankruptcy but the filing was dismissed. It was then that Tommy Thompson did not show up in the next court session which prompted an arrest order. Thompson and his girlfriend Alison Anterkeier disappeared and for at least two years their whereabouts were unknown. According to The Columbus Dispatch, the resident going by the name of Susan Owens was actually Alison, the manager of the motor lodge, Virginia said. She moved there after being a no-show for a court date. This information came out in federal papers in June of 2015.

It was in January of 2015 also that, Thompson and Anterkeier were found in a Hilton hotel in Boca Raton. Those involved in the case said they had been paying cash for their living expenses. They were arrested and jailed. Thompson’s girlfriend, Alison spent a month in jail and then released.

In 2018, Thompson said he did not know where the gold was. That same year, the judge ruled that what artifacts were available could be sold and the $19.4 million in damages could go to the plaintiffs.

Thompson has remained in jail since the arrest and being unwilling to tell where the gold is to this day. He is being held in a federal detention center in Milan, Michigan according to news organizations . When searching his name under “inmate”, there is no release date listed.

Did Thompson bury the gold in Boca? Green Cover or even Jacksonville? If you read the court transcripts you might find out. Some say he’s given hints. If you find the gold, it would be yet another “great treasure find” pertaining to the “Ship of Gold”. The Arctic Discoverer is at present docked just outside of Duval County city limits.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Scripture for the day: “Thou Shalt Not Steal”. Also

Exodus 20:16 — “Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor.”

There is probably more to this story that we don’t know.

Sources: Columbus Dispatch, Ship of Gold, Gary Kinder, Coinworld, Odyssey Marine, Recovery Limited, Wikipedia, Personal visit.1/27/23

Category: History, People, Transportation, Travel | LEAVE A COMMENT