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Witness To The Lives of Others

Family members are our biggest heroes. (Ramey, age 10 at Capitol)

“Nobody cares”, some say but, I care and my Aunt and Dad are why…

Aunt Urbanna and my Dad are credited for the passion to keep up with history. Many who knew them feel the same. They spent so much time in their lives, photographing and writing it all down. All of my young life my aunt had camera in hand and took photos from the time we visited South Carolina, (our parent’s home), until we left. Often she would develop and send the photos to Jacksonville. We all loved it! It made us feel important, special and she was a witness to our lives. From that, our Dad would have us write on the back of the photographs so we later would know the occasion. Being a witness to the lives of others all fits together with everyone participating.

For items too big for a small box

Because of the love of history, my own archives, have photos of the founders of the internet, Rosa Parks, Jesse Jackson, several Presidents, and a dozen or more astronauts. There are famous people representing high-profiled cases like Cyril Wecht, Johnnie Cochran, and Jacksonville’s own, Judge Oliff. Also pictured is Mikhail Gorbechav, the Queen of England, the Prince, Princess and even Charlotte and the king-to-be, George. Oh, and there’s the King and Queen of Spain while in St. Augustine too. Jacksonville’s great First Baptist Church, has allowed for photos of famous pastors such as John MacArthur, John Philips, Adrian Rogers, Billy Graham, Franklin, his son and more. All being a witness to God’s greatness.

Boxes of labeled photos

History matters and Jacksonville, Florida has had the run of it. In recent months, I have wondered what in the world will happen to those pics going forward, so I’ve tried to organize them, categorize them and put them in ABC order but it’s just not as simple as that. Certainly not if you have at the very minimum of many thousands of photographs. For example, there are 88,000 photos in my 2 terabyte Apple phone right now. (Really). (And I have photos of Apple’s co-founder, Steve Wozniak too.)

Filing system to get photos filed

Now, it must be said. I’m really a “wanna-be photographer. I am not professional by any stretch. I consider myself a historian, so some of my photos are simple basic shots and simple images of very famous people.

Being a witness to the lives of others is important. While I’ve taken pics of the famous, I keep up with my own family, the real heroes in my life and click away every chance I get. Also, it is important to write on the backs to document those events. Anyone finding those photos will know who those famous family members are one day.

What about you? Whose lives are you viewing on a day-to-day basis and are you saving their images for future family members and historians alike? Tip of the day. Put names, dates and places on the back of all photos. History fades with time so as you witness, document as well.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Category: Faith, Family, History, People, Random Posts | Comments Off

March 1

The Lee Log Cabin

Idell Virginia Highsmith Lee was truly a pioneer in the 20th century and she lived in a log cabin to prove it. She married Ezra Marmaduke Lee on April 22, 1923 in Duval County, Florida. Together they built a real log cabin at 9313 Crystal Springs Road on Jacksonville, Florida’s westside. When I met “Granny Lee”, her husband Ezra of 39 years had recently died leaving her alone in the cabin but with grandkids all living on the land next to her.

My memories of Granny are fond. She celebrated the many who dropped by to see her. They were always welcome in her 2 br family-built log cabin. She told me that she, Ezra and with some neighbor’s help build the cabin not long after they married. It was a long project and took some time to build but it was theirs and they were so proud of it.

The log cabin was small and unique with about 14 logs top to bottom on each wall. There was little chinking inside and on some walls, the only covering was the outside small square wood siding. It was certainly not weather tight. Chinking or daubing is a mixture of clay, mud, sand and sometimes wood splits that is mixed together and used to pack in between the logs to fill all gaps. The purpose would be to prevent weather concerns, insect problems and air leakage. On the inside of their log cabin, some walls had only daubing where the corner logs met. It would be important to put some daubing at the corners to prevent log movement and they met that need with no worry.

The Lee cabin had two four glass pane entry doors; one in the front and one out back with a screen door as well. The steps were wooden and there was a single hand rail for support to come in and out. All of the way around side to side and front to back there was wood siding. By 1971 it looked weathered but in good shape.

Granny Lee died in August of 1996. Her tomb stone has a cross in the center. She loved the Lord and lived out His principles. She is buried next to her beloved Ezra at Evergreen Cemetery. Her family eventually sold the land and the Lee log cabin was demolished for a beautiful and stately home made of brick and mortar. I had a photograph framed and will give to the folks who live there honoring her legacy.

See you Tomorrow,

Nan

Category: People, Westside | Comments Off

January 28

Not a Vermeer or a Rembrandt But They Were Mine

[IMPORTANT- The homeless situation is tragic. There is no attempt to make fun or make light of anyone in this situation. While this is a true story, empathy and help is still offered.]

In 1990, thirteen works were stolen from the Isabella Steward Garden Museum. Among the pieces taken was a Vermeer and a famed Rembrandt painting valued at some $500 million.

Certainly, I have nothing of that value in the artwork that I put in a rental in 2025 but what was stolen from the small 1 br/1 ba rental unit was nonetheless, mine. The artwork was removed in January, between the hours of approximately 2 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. the following day. Someone had “squatted” in the rental and upon leaving removed the artwork from the walls.

Had a handyman and I not been looking to cover pipes for weather protection, this devastating loss may not have been discovered until it was too late. We opened a small fenced area beside the rental unit and found a person’s bedding, boots and bags of clothes along with three paintings. The artwork depicted the 19th-century creative movement of the “impressionists” work. In one art piece, the muted blue-grey colours captured life centred around windmills. In the other two paintings, the works showed life in countries such as Italy, Spain, or Greece. All three paintings still had the beautiful gold frames intact and had not been harmed otherwise. Obviously, the squatter had moved out and was soon to move on- with the paintings.

Fortunately, we were able to collect the paintings and place them back in the small unit for future guests to see and appreciate. We are still on the lookout for the thief. We believe it to be a female because of the go-go-boots left behind. The paintings are back on the wall.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Category: Art, People, Random Posts | Comments Off

January 14

Iwo Jima in Jacksonville After Maduro Sieze

The Iwo Jima is known as a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship in the United States Navy. This week she navigated the waters from the Atlantic Ocean through a 500-foot wide entrance into the St. Johns River. That area provides direct access from the Atlantic Ocean into the naval base harbor allowing large ships and aircraft carriers to navigate in deep-water access gaining access to the Mayport naval base Mayport has a base on San Pablo Island in Jacksonville, Florida right on the Atlantic Ocean for some time. The Department of Defense controls its day-to-day operations as it serves both as a naval base and naval air station. It was established in 1932.

There was apparently no fan fare or welcoming committee to greet the 40,000 long ton ship to harbor however, several Facebook folks took photos and posted them online noting that the Iwo Jima was in port at Jacksonville.

A friend of mine, Ainsley gave me the opportunity to go with her on base to see the huge 843 foot long ship where we were able to walk alongside it, take photographs and wonder about its mission. Too, we talked to some of the marines living on the ship as they came and went during this stay on the St. Johns River. Busses accommodated them and their families to get on and off of the base. Some met with family and friends as they stayed in the east coast waters for less than a week.

The Iwo Jima came back into the news recently when it was used January 3, 2026 to “launch strikes in Venezuela resulting in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cila Flores”. President Donald Trump subsequently posted an image of Maduro on Truth Social with the caption “Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima.”

Sources: “According to initial reporting and later confirmed by General Dan Caine in a press conference, the president and first lady were taken into custody aboard the Iwo Jima, during Operation Absolute Resolve.”( USS Iwo Jima(LHSS-7)s Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation,January 12, 2026).

Madura Photo-Public Domain- https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts

Category: History, Military | Comments Off

January 1

“Rosa Parks is Waiting for Us”

Rosa Parks was a civil rights advocate and icon. She came to Jacksonville on many occasions including in 1986,1994 and 1996. Ms. Parks was also at the Sheraton St. Johns on one stop banquet for the Florida Voters League. She also spoke at the SCLC convention in Jacksonville in 1886. In 1994, Ms. Parks talked about her days of segregation reported by news stations when she visited Edward Waters College.

On one of her visits Mrs. Parks had been traveling the country commemorating the 40th year bus boycott. On this particular day, she was being honored at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce which was “by invitation-only”. The day I got invited in to see her was a Wednesday, February 7, 1996. On that day in history a photograph of Mars was featured by NASA, the number one song in the US, ”One Sweet Day”, sung by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men and I was invited in to meet and greet Rosa Parks at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.

It was late afternoon on Wednesday when I went to the First Baptist church in downtown Jacksonville, got my children settled into their classes and was heading up the back stairs of the singles building on Church street to go to my meeting. A friend of mine said, “Hey, why are you here? I thought you would be photographing Rosa Parks? She’s at the Jacksonville Chamber just down the street”. I had no idea but with a thanks to my friend and having my camera in the car, I immediately turned around and went out the door to head to the chamber. When I got to the chamber of commerce door there was a very large sign to my left in the glass window announcing Ms. Parks visit. I noted immediately that it said, “By invitation only”. Not long after I read the signage, Bob Ingram, a tall black man, walked up, held the door for me and said, “Let’s go, Ms Parks is waiting for us”. I was personally invited in and the rest is history.

The day I met Ms. Parks I had a broken arm with a cast. That cast caused her to motion for me to come and sit by her. She looked straight in my eyes and patted the seat next to her and motioned for me to come sit. I walked over, sat down and we had much to talk about. She wanted to know what happened and from that conversation, we had many others including talking about her journey having refused to move her seat and give it to a white man. Before the evening was over, Mrs Parks and I were BFF(Best Friends Forever). Certainly I was honoured.

Rosa Parks started a huge movement in 1955 as she was fined $14 for not giving up her seat to a white person as it was considered “a deliberate act of civil disobedience”. On that day she was arrested which brought about a boycott. This lead to more than 90 other defendants in other cases sparking a total change to the way black people were viewed and treated. The boycott according the to to library of Congress lasted 381 days and led to a 1956 Supreme Court decision banning segregation on public transportation. ( Library of Congress). And now, she has her own station named in her honor in Jacksonville.

Mrs.Parks was born February 4, 1913 in Tuskegee, Alabama. She was 83 the day I met her having a birthday only a few days prior. She married Raymond Parks and attended and was a member of the AME serving at St. Paul AME church in Montgomery, Al. She is said to have served as a stewardess and Sunday School teacher, another thing we had in common.

Rosa Parks died on October 24, 2005 at her home in Detroit, Michigan. She was captioned as the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement”. There are many who give her credit for the fame of Martin Luther King as he took on her cause making important changes to freedom for all.

On October 29, 2005 at her hometown church in Montgomery a memorial was held. So many special and important people came to honor her life such as then, Secretary of State, Condi Rice,MLK III, the son of M. L. King, the Reverend Joseph Lowry; co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with MLK, jr., Reverend. Al Sharpton, actress, Cicely Tyson and more. The AME church was full with hundreds outside as well. I was in that group and proud to have met her personally years ago.

Parks body was carried from the Ross-Clayton Funeral home in Montgomery, transferred to a horse drawn carriage and taken to the AME church on N. Ripley Street for the memorial service. She had died of natural causes at the age of 92. Mrs .Parks was taken from the funeral home in a white hearse and then transferred to a horse-drawn carriage for public viewing. to a I walked behind the carriage that day was thankful to have met her and vowing that I would seek to stand up for what is right in a world gone wrong.

After the celebration of her life in Montgomery , Rosa Parks was flown to Washington DC for 2 days as the nation paid its respect. Those attending her Washington Memorial service were many such as President George W. Bush and First Lady, Laura, Majority Leader Bill Frist, Minority Leader Harry Reid, Secretary of State Condoleeezza Rice, Oprah Winfrey, Julian Bond, U. S. Ted Kennedy, former President and First Lady, and Bill and Hillary Clinton and many more.

February 27, 2013 a statue was unveiled in the U. S. Capital in National Statuary Hall of Mrs. Parks.

Sources: Personal experience, Wikipedia, Google, Library Congress, St. Pauls’ AME church,Henry Ford Museum. Photos:Public domain, Police dept., Nan Ramey.

Category: History, People | Comments Off

July 25

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

July 24

Dr. Thomas Perley and Part of His Legacy

Empire Point is located along the St. Johns River and was at once time part of the 385-acre Reuben Hogans land grant of 1808. There, along the river is a wine cellar, brick and beautiful. According to author Tim Gilmore, the bricks on the old cellar at the end of the 4615 Empire Point Road culdesac in the 4615 Empire Point Road once belonged to the original Perley Place homestead. On a website the Top Ten Real estate Deals, the story is written that Dr. Thomas F. Pearly purchased the land “overlooking the St. John’s River atop Empire Point”.

Grandson, Ramey standing in front of the Perley cellar at Empire Point

Not long after he built his home there, the Civil War broke out and he was called to duty as a Confederate colonel serving in the medical field. In 1868, after the war, Perley sold the property. At some point the house burned to the ground and all that was left was the tunnel which was connected to a brick vaulted wine cellar. Beneath the ground was found a granite corner stone bringing the history alive. If you visit the area today, to left of the refurbished wine cellar is the cornerstone dated about 1858. The property was purchased in 1993 and rebuilt the home with as much authentic care as possible.

Thomas F. Perley was appointed by Surgeon William A. Hammond to the position of Medical inspector. ( AMEDD Center of History and Heritage, Part V “ From the commencement of the rebellion to the present time”. Act.armey.mil)

According to Cera Web Design the wine cellar is “the only privately owned, pre-Civl War wine cellar in the United States” still standing.

Many contend the road is private but there is a sign at the end of the road honoring the Perley homestead.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Sources: Top Ten RealEstate Deals, Where Real Estate is Never Boring, 2024, Tim Gilmore, Empire Point: Perley Place and Wine Cellar, March 2, 2016, Cera Web Design, Perley Place, Build on History, Accessed online 4-23-24

Category: History, Military | Comments Off

July 23

The Church Must Step Up for the Homeless

This issue is not a partisan issue. Lives are truly at stake no matter the party line. It is really time for the Church of Christ to step in and be a part of the help in this serious issue of souls. The problem is more than being physically without a home, food and a place to lay their head. It is truly about salvation.

Leonardo da Vinci produced The Last Supper between 1495 and 1498, which is the most well-known religious painting. Jesus taught his disciples to go forth and teach the Gospel.

The struggle of the homeless is real. In most cases, their bodies rage for need of the drug of their choice. This rage drives them to their homelessness. They need help to get off of drugs, opportunities to work, places they can go for mental health, clothes, showering, transportation, and a great many other things. There is only ONE solution and that is God, who has power over every stronghold. Homelessness and what gets them there is a serious stronghold.

Permission was given to take this photo of a homeless woman who has been on the streets for about a year.This photo was taken about 8:30 am. It had rained heavily during the night.

Jacksonville’s Mayor Donna Deegan said, “In every community conversation I’ve been to over the past year, one of the things I heard most often was the need to address homelessness. With that feedback in mind, our 12-point plan makes progress on this significant issue and complies with HB 1365. Our goal is to build safer neighborhoods and make homelessness a rare, brief, one-time occurrence in a person’s life.”

A homeless man took me in the neighborhood camp to see this make-shift home.

The Church has THE answer to solve this problem. No “free” homes, “free food”, “free anything” will solve this issue. It is a matter of the heart and the Church has the answer to deal with the heart. “Speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, God said, “My wayward children . . . come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts” . God also warned, “Your wickedness will bring its own punishment. Your turning from me will shame you. (Jeremiah 3:22 NLT- Copied)

Jesus said that the poor would always be with us but that there are blessing when any of us give even a cup of water in Jesus name. The church could and would really make an impact in this up and coming effort to deal with this serious issue.

If every church in Jacksonville would take on simply one aspect to help the homeless in their area of town, great inroads could be made to saving the lives of so many. Please pray that the Church will take on this task. It is not an easy task but it is a necessary one.

Things the Church could do and with every single mission, offer the Gospel of Christ which is able to save:

Church Ministries

Bible Lessons, Church Services, Clothes Closets, Food Pantries, Job Opportunities, Shower Stations, Skill Training. ( With every single dealing with the homeless the Gospel must be shared. That is what saves.That is what changes a soul.)

“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. “Proverbs 19:17

“If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother” Deut 15:7

“He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.” Prof 14:31

“He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.” Prov. 28:7

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Category: Churches, Faith, Government, Health | Comments Off

July 19

The Homeless in Jacksonville. The Church Their Only Hope

The situation is bad; really bad. At this time in the city of Jacksonville, dating back to a rule that went in effect February of 2023, people are banned from panhandling on street corners and drivers can be fined up to $250 for handing out even a bottle of water to a homeless person. Those who voted for this ordinance say it is a safety issue but to those without a home, food and drink, it is a nightmare, as if they already don’t have one day-in and day-out in their lives. They each one live that nightmare. Daily. YES, it is their fault. YES, they have gotten themselves in this horrible condition but now what?

As of 2023, they cannot get money, food or drink by a hand-out. You say, “Go to a shelter”. How to find them? How to get there? Are they open 24/7 or are the homeless to eat only once a week? If given food, how will they carry it? Where will they store it? The questions go on and on and on.

It is my guess that 99% of the homeless are on drugs. Their bodies rage with the need to satisfy a longing within. They are seriously dependent on drugs. They cannot control this rage thus they beg, borrow and yes, even steal to solve this horrible addiction. The city leaders’ response to this was to shut down their begging which leaves borrowing and stealing but the rage continues. A drug addict cannot control his or her body. This is a serious problem; a devastating dilemma. In truth, there is only one real answer: God, and they curse him day and night.

Then people say, “Well, they should not have gotten in this situation”. Well, they did. Now what? Another person may say, “Okay, get a job”. How? They are hungry, have no way to get clean, no clothes to look presentable for getting a job, no way to know where jobs might be, no transportation to get to the job interview if they could figure that out, no phone or communication, and the problems continue. And, most of their focus is on the basic needs that everyone has, to eat, and drink.

These thoughts shared here are not to give the homeless a pass. No, it is to hopefully wake up the church, the Body of Christ to see that there is a mission field out that that is almost untapped. The homeless are truly desperate not just for the necessities of life but for the God who created them and can change them. At this point, any homeless I’ve met curse God and so often blame Him for their wayward behaviours.

Now is the time for the Church to step up and make the difference. The situation is dire and the stakes are high. It is almost hopeless in truth. The Church knows it cannot align with the government without the government controlling the church so there is that problem. On the other hand, without the one true God, the homeless have no hope of true recovery.

The homeless don’t have jobs. No they aren’t clean or upstanding pillars of the community but in fact they are desperate and if every church in the city of Jacksonville had even one ministry to help the homeless, lives could be saved and changed.

Here are possible Church Ministries to be considered and, with every single one it should include a time of preaching and learning of God’s grace and glory.

Church Ministries

Bible Lessons, Church Services, Clothes Closets, Food Pantries, Job Opportunities, Shower Stations, Skill Training

There is so much the church could do to help the homeless. The time is now. The need is real. If you’re a true Christian and reading this, please pray that the churches in Jacksonville will step up and meet a serious need in our community. Talk to your church leaders and see what one thing each church could do. The body of Christ is God’s hands and feet and they are so needed at this time in our city.

See you tomorrow,

Nan

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.Proverbs 19:17

If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: Deut 15:7

He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. Prof 14:31

He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. Prov. 28:7

Sources: City of Jacksonville Ordinance, Personal experience with homeless, COSAC Foundation

Category: Churches, People | Comments Off

July 17

Letters Removed From the Top of the Wells Fargo Building. Locomotive Still Beneath the Pilings

The tallest building in Jacksonville in 1974 was was known then as The Independent Life building at 535 feet. It was confirmed again in 2024 by James Abrams an expert in attaching and removing huge business lettering when he talked about the now 2nd tallest building in Jacksonville. Abrams was a part of the 2011 team that helped remove lettering from now-called 1 Independent Drive when the building changed owners. This is the 5th time the building will have letters removed atop this structure.

The Dingman Family, 2017 Eclipse with iconic Jacksonville Landing Sign and Wells Fargo Building in the background.

Over the years, the names have been: The Independent Life, Accustaff, Modis, Wells Fargo and until the new owner, Argentic Investment Management LLC of New York City renames it, the structure will be known as 1 Independent Drive. (Daily Record, Wells Fargo Center tower and garages Downtown sold for $46.35 million, Karen Brune Mathis, April 24, 2024).

There is a lot of history with the structure over the years including when the grounds were being prepared for building back in 1971. On a discovery walk with Gary Sass of Adlib Tours, we walked to the corner of Laura and Bay Street to learn that beneath this huge building lay still, a bonified locomotive which the contractors and owners of the day decided to leave. Instead, they built pilings around the locomotive leaving the metal train. A thirty-six-story building sits on top of a full-size locomotive in Jacksonville, Florida.

Gary Sass with Adlib Tours (Photo: Visit Jacksonville).

According to an article by Ennis Davis, the large locomotive could easily be explained as the area was once near a train line confirmed by maps. The train connection was used to distribute goods and services to the city of Jacksonville.(A Locomotive is Buried Below This Skyscraper, The Jason, Ennis Davis, January 8, 2017).

1504 Locomotive dates back to 1919 sat in parking lot of Prime Osborn for decades is a sample of an old locomotive. (Photo: Ramey).

Too in this city, there could be, buried in the bottom of a Jacksonville home owner’s junk drawer and on someone’s 1971 Kodak Instamatic X-15 camera film roll, a photo of a buried steam engine which lay deep beneath the 5th named Independent Life Building located at the 1 Independent Drive in Jacksonville, Florida. It has yet to be revealed but maybe one day.

When the Well’s Fargo lettering was placed on the building at the time it was re-named Wells Fargo, James Abrams, sign technician, was one of those wearing a repelling harness to work with the bolts and attachments, in preparation for the changes back then. He said Dave Clark was a part of this team repelling on the side of the 535 foot high building on this occasion. The owner of High Angel Services Jim Webster reported to Chanel 4 news that precision was important for the safety of all involved. The weather was clear, the wind mild and the crew professional.

Wells Fargo letters after being removed from the building 2024 (Ramey archives)

Abrams has been involved once again as I met him at the landing area located across from the Maxwell house Coffee plant where letters from the building were flown. Two others heavily involved in the process of letter removal were Alexis Casul, and Kyle Roberson, all who work for Southeastern Lighting Solutions. They were tasked with receiving each 1,500 pound letter by the vintage 1953 Sikorsky S-58 helicopter. ( Florida Times Union, Wells Fargo sinage comes down with help of 1958 vintage helicopter, Bob Self, July 14, 2024).

Kyle Roberson, Alexis Casul, James Abrams of Southeastern Lighting Solutions (Photo: Ramey)

There, the twenty, approximately 17 foot, tall, 1500 pound letters were brought after being removed from the once-named Wells Fargo Building on July 14th, 2024. The huge letters were then prepared one at a time with a steel cables for each letter and hoisted far above the building. The letters were then flown by helicopter to the open area to be received by hand, one at a time. As the helicopter hovered over the men, the letters were hanging and with careful precision, each one was held by the helicopter cable, handled by the men, lowered to the ground and unattached by the waiting crew.

By Tuesday of that week, the men had detached the bright orange letter covers, removed all lights inside of the metal lettering and had them stacked on a flat bed truck ready to be recycled.

For now, the steam engine, confirmed by eye-witnesses back-in-the-day, lay undisturbed since 1971 when the iconic building was built and named for an accident insurance company. The naming rights of the building belonged to the then owner, Independent Life.

For now though, all we know for sure is that on Sunday, July 14, 2024 eye witnesses saw a helicopter hang at least twenty, 1500 pound letters swagging in the air removing them to make way for the next Independent Life Building owner, Argentic Investment Management LLC of New York City to have new lettering place atop the approximately 650,000 leasable square foot building. ( Daily RecordHelicopter removes Wells Fargo signage from Downtown Jacksonville tower.

Oh, but if locomotives could talk.

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