21. A look down West Bay Street in the heart of Railroad Row. Courtesy of the State Archives of Florida.
22. Looking east down West Bay Street near the Jacksonville Terminal. Courtesy of the State Archives of Florida.
23. The Crane Company was located on the northwest corner of West Bay and Lee streets. Courtesy of the State Archives of Florida.
24. LaVilla’s West Bay Street Post Office. During the heyday of passenger rail, over 80% of Florida’s mail was processed at LaVilla’s Jacksonville Terminal complex. Courtesy of the State Archives of Florida.
25. The Southeast Wheel & Rim Company on West Forsyth Street. Today, the three story structure is known as 927 Events. Courtesy of the State Archives of Florida.
26. The Fairmont Creamery Company was incorporated March 29, 1884 by William Wheeler and Joseph H. Rushton in Fairmont, Nebraska. It became a pioneer in milk can pickup and was one of the first creameries to provide farmers with their own hand-operated cream separators. Fairmont opened in LaVilla’s red light district in 1945. Products and supplies were shipped by a rail spur on Houston Street.
Throughout its history, Fairmont was known for its quality control and progressive methods of food production and distribution. By 1959 it was a Fortune 500 company. Fairmont merged with a subsidiary of American Financial Corporation of Cincinnati in 1980. By 1984, all of its properties were either sold or closed, marking the end of a great American name. In many cities, former Fairmont Creamery buildings are considered landmarks worthy of adaptive reuse. Courtesy of the State Archives of Florida.
27. The Stanton High School band performing on West Ashley Street between Broad and Jefferson streets. Courtesy of the Ritz Theatre and Museum.
28. Famous musician Duke Ellington playing baseball in the parking lot of the Astor Motel at the intersection of Kings Road and Cleveland Street in 1955. Today, this is the campus of John E. Ford Elementery School. Courtesy of Shorpy.com
29. Inside the New Central Hotel at the intersection of Broad and Beaver streets. Courtesy of the City of Jacksonville Planning and Development Department Historic Preservation Office.
30. Inside the New Central Hotel. Courtesy of the City of Jacksonville Planning and Development Department Historic Preservation Office.