14 historic Jacksonville landmarks in ruins

Stories behind the River City's historic landmarks

Discover decades of Jacksonvilles triumph, glory and decay.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The city of Jacksonville has hundreds of buildings that have withstood the test of time -- lasting landmarks tell only a portion of Jacksonville's history. Dozens of other buildings have been abandoned and left to wither, turning into shadows of their former grandeur.

Each place has a rich and storied history that belies modern appearances, like the Annie Lytle Elementary School, now known as the most haunted landmark in the city, and the Jacksonville Brewing Company, which had to come up with a creative way to stay afloat (think ice cream) when Prohibition hit.

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Metro Jacksonville writers Ennis Davis and Robert Mann went behind the scenes of 14 crumbling but ethereally beautiful structures to reveal their true pasts. Enhanced with stunning color photography, "Reclaiming Jacksonville" is in the process of being printed by Charleston, SC-based The History Press.

It will be Meto Jacksonville's first book.

Documented Structures:

  • Ambassador Hotel
  • American Motors Export Company
  • Annie Lytle Elementary School
  • Barnett Bank Building
  • Florida Machine and Foundry
  • Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant
  •  Gateway Shopping Center
  • Hogans Creek Improvement Project
  • Independent Life Building
  • Jacksonville Brewing Company
  • Jacksonville Terminal Subway
  • Laura Street Trio
  • Seminole Club
  • ]W.P. Sumner Company
  • Where book will be available

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