LaVilla
LaVilla | |
|---|---|
904 |
LaVilla is a historic African American
It was struck by the Great Fire of 1901. During its height, the area was considered "the mecca for African American culture and heritage" in Florida, particularly its northern sections.[2] It remains primarily an African-American neighborhood. The Ritz Theatre, Richmond Hotel, and the Clara White Mission are among the historic buildings in the area. Several are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The area became a transportation hub with rail service developed by Henry Flagler and was also a cigar making center that included Greek and Syrian immigrants.[3]
Location
LaVilla lies to the northwest in Jacksonville's downtown. It is bounded by State Street to the north, I-95 to the west, Broad Street to the east, and Brooklyn to the south.
History
19th-century
John Jones, an Anglo-American colonist, received a Spanish land grant for much of this area in 1801, when this part of Florida was still Spanish territory.
At different points in the American Civil War, when Jacksonville and northeastern Florida were under Union control, the area was the site of a large Union garrison.[2] Many slaves sought refuge with Union troops and, under the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, gained freedom. After the war, the town attracted additional freedmen, some of whom left rural areas, and was incorporated as LaVilla.
The town developed as a suburb to
20th-century
In 1902, the state legislature passed a new constitution, adopting barriers to voter registration and voting that resulted in the deliberate
Author Stephen Crane frequented LaVilla during his time in Jacksonville; he met his future wife, Cora Crane, who was at the time a brothel proprietor.
Lavilla was the site of the
The area on Ashley Street west of Broad Street, to and including Davis Street, included landmarks such as Nick’s Pool Parlor, as well as the Strand, the Frolic, the Globe and the Roosevelt theaters. The Wynn/Egmont Hotel was known to provide the best accommodations for touring performers; the Boston Chop House, Mama’s Restaurant and Hayes Luncheonette served good food; the Lenape Bar and Manuel's Taproom were the favorite watering holes. The Ritz Theatre and The Knights of Pythias Hall hosted numerous famous performers.
In the 1930s the "Negro" section of the
After the 1960s, the neighborhood entered a period of precipitous decline. The railroad industry restructured, leading to a massive loss of jobs here and across the country. In addition, the construction of
During the 1980s the
The 1993 River City Renaissance plan crafted by Mayor Ed Austin allocated millions of dollars to renovating and developing LaVilla. Dilapidated buildings were torn down and significant historical structures, such as the Ritz Theatre, were restored or reconstructed, often in public-private partnerships. The Ritz also serves as the LaVilla Heritage tourism has been emphasized.
Transportation
LaVilla is served by the
Current Skyway Stations in LaVilla[11]
- Jeffersonat Jefferson Street & Bay Street, serving the Federal Reserve Building and Courthouse.
- Convention Center on Bay Street serving the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center.
Attractions and characteristics
Venues, such as the Ritz Theatre, showcased black entertainers and catered to black audiences. The theatre still host shows and also offers visitors a look at black history.
The Jacksonville branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta is located on Water Street at the southern bounds of LaVilla.
The southern part of the neighborhood was once a major
LaVilla School of the Arts is a popular magnet middle school in Duval County that follows in the performance and art traditions of the Ritz/LaVilla area. Ritz Voices is a 100-member youth choir in the area.
The Clara White Mission is also located in LaVilla in the former Globe Theatre.[12]
Mayors of LaVilla
- Francis F. L’Engle (1866)[13]
- Mitchell P. Chappelle (1874–1876)[14]
- Alfred Grant (1876–1877), also served as a councilman state representative[15]
- 1887 - LaVilla is annexed by the City of Jacksonville[13]
References
- ^ a b "La Valla District neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida (FL), 32202, 32204 subdivision profile - real estate, apartments, condos, homes, community, population, jobs, income, streets". www.city-data.com.
- ^ a b c Lawson, Melanie (2021-02-23). "Jacksonville's LaVilla area was once thriving haven filled with Black-owned businesses". WJXT. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
- ^ Davis, Adrienne Burke and Ennis. "Here is a plan to revive LaVilla". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
- ^ Davis, Ennis; Delaney, Bill (2023-02-22). "6 facts about LaVilla you should know". Jacksonville Today. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
- ^ downtownjacksonville.org "Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum" Archived 2007-09-12 at the Wayback Machine, Downtown Jacksonville
- ^ "LaVilla, Jacksonville, Frommers Destinations
- ^ "Zora Neale Hurston and the Depression-Era Federal Writers' Project". The New York Public Library. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
- ^ Mitchell, Tia. "LaVilla revitalization plan: 'A story of fits and starts'". The Florida Times-Union.
- ^ "Mullaney: decade of growth", Jax Daily Record, 10 March 2006
- ^ "Downtown Jacksonville: Skyway" (website). Retrieved 2012-09-16.
- ^ "JTA Downtown Map". Retrieved 2012-09-16.
- ^ "Ashley Street: The Harlem of the South" Metro Jacksonville, History
- ^ a b Davis, Ennis (August 23, 2017). "LaVilla: The Rise & Fall of a Great Black Neighborhood". TheJaxsonMag.com. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
- ^ Lloyd Washington (February 2022) https://www.congress.gov/117/meeting/house/114373/witnesses/HHRG-117-JU10-Wstate-WashingtonL-20220204.pdf
- ^ Florida's Black Public Officials by Canter Brown Jr. page 94
External links
 | ||
