in Places & People

Fascinating Historical Photos Of Jacksonville From Early 20th Century

13k Views 17 Comments

Jacksonville is the most populous and largest city in Florida. During the American Civil War, Union forces occupied it four times. Following the civil war and during the reconstruction period, the city became the major winter resort. The 20th Century in Jacksonville began with catastrophe when the Great Fire of 1901 destroyed the business district and rendered 10,000 residents homeless in eight hours. Despite the widespread damage, only seven deaths were reported in the city, and the restoration started immediately. The 1920s brought significant real estate development, and the tourism industry boomed. In 1940, a navy base was constructed in the city. This base was a vital training center during World War II, with over 20,000 pilots and aircrewmen being trained there.

Today Jacksonville is an important port city and function as the state’s foremost transportation and commercial center. Health care, insurance, and banking sectors are the dominant factor in Jacksonville’s economy. Here below, we have compiled a list of stunning photos of old Jacksonville from the early 20th century that show streets, cityscapes, and everyday life.

#1 Main Street north from Bay, Jacksonville, Florida, circa 1910

Main Street north from Bay, Jacksonville, Florida, circa 1910

21 Points
Upvote Downvote

#3 Forsyth Street looking east, Jacksonville, Florida, 1910

Forsyth Street looking east, Jacksonville, Florida, 1910

15 Points
Upvote Downvote

#4 Lunch hour on the docks, Jacksonville, Florida, 1910

Lunch hour on the docks, Jacksonville, Florida, 1910

15 Points
Upvote Downvote

#5 Residences, corner Laura and Ashley Streets, Jacksonville, Florida, circa 1910

Residences, corner Laura and Ashley Streets, Jacksonville, Florida, circa 1910

14 Points
Upvote Downvote

#8 Hemming Park, Confederate monument and Y.M.C.A, Jacksonville, Florida, 1910

Hemming Park, Confederate monument and Y.M.C.A, Jacksonville, Florida, 1910

11 Points
Upvote Downvote

#10 Street scene in the Negro section, Jacksonville, Florida, February 1943

Street scene in the Negro section, Jacksonville, Florida, February 1943

10 Points
Upvote Downvote

#12 Main Street streetcar, Jacksonville, Florida, circa 1903

Main Street streetcar, Jacksonville, Florida, circa 1903

10 Points
Upvote Downvote

#14 Forsyth Street at night, Jacksonville, Florida, circa 1910

Forsyth Street at night, Jacksonville, Florida, circa 1910

9 Points
Upvote Downvote

#16 Hemming Park and Monroe Street, Jacksonville, Florida, circa 1904

Hemming Park and Monroe Street, Jacksonville, Florida, circa 1904

7 Points
Upvote Downvote

#17 Bisbee Building on Bankers’ Row.” The city’s first sky­scraper, still standing on Forsyth Street, Jacksonville circa 1910

Bisbee Building on Bankers' Row." The city's first sky­scraper, still standing on Forsyth Street, Jacksonville circa 1910

7 Points
Upvote Downvote

#20 Hogan Street, Home to Dr. Williams, Alveolar, Jacksonville, Florida, circa 1910

Hogan Street, Home to Dr. Williams, Alveolar, Jacksonville, Florida, circa 1910

6 Points
Upvote Downvote

#25 Forsyth Street west from City Hall, Jacksonville, Florida, circa 1910

Forsyth Street west from City Hall, Jacksonville, Florida, circa 1910

5 Points
Upvote Downvote

#26 Forsyth Street, west from Main, Jacksonville, Florida, circa 1910

Forsyth Street, west from Main, Jacksonville, Florida, circa 1910

4 Points
Upvote Downvote
Avatar of Aung Budhh

Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

17 Comments

  2. The new 2-story homes in Springfield in 1903, just two years after my granny was born and the Great Fire of 1901 destroyed most of downtown Jacksonville, were beautiful, stately and elegant.

    0
    Reply