JACKSONVILLE GUIDE

WELCOME TO JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

destinations. More than 20 miles of soft white sand beaches nearby provide a

backdrop for sunbathing, surfing, fishing and ... More

CULTURAL SITES

Founded in 1866,Edward Waters College was Florida's first Independent institution

of higher learning for African Americans. Ritz Theater & LaVilla Museum and

Lavilla School of the Arts ... More

RESTAURANTS and SHOPS

Jenkins Bar-B-Que specializes in rib sandwiches and double orders, while

Arielle’s Restaurant presents an upscale dining & entertainment venue and

Be The Lite Christian Bookstore has an excellent selction ... More

BEACHES and PARKS
In 1930, Al Lewis, president of the African American Insurance Company

in Jacksonville, bought 200 acres of along 13 miles of beach property as a place for "relaxation without humiliation" for his black employees - American Beach ... More

FAMILY ATTRACTIONS

Jacksonville Landing, Riverwalk, Museum of Science & History, Adventure Landing,

Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens, Alligator Farm, Marineland of Florida

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum ... More

GENERAL ATTRACTIONS

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville,

Florida Theatre, Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts,

Budweiser Brewery Tour, SunCruz Casino, World Golf Hall of Fame ... More

BLACK GENESIS
    Timucuan Indians dates back over 5,000 years in an ecological preserve just north of Jacksonville. But for American Indians everything changed in 1564 when French Huguenots arrived seeking fortune and settled at Ft Caroline, near the mouth of St Johns River.  In a strange twist, free Africans accompanied Spaniards ... More

PLACES OF WORSHIP

Bethel Baptist Institutional Church was organized in 1838 for the religious

activities of Jacksonville's black community. During the Civil War,

it also served as a hospital ... More

HISTORIC SITES
In 1817, Zephaniah Kingsley purchased a heavily wooded property to raise sugar,

cotton and other cash crops. Kingsley was married to an African,

but in the twisted sense of humanity prevalent in his day ... More

OLUSTEE BATTLEFIELD
   On 20 February 1864, the largest Civil War battle in Florida occurred at this site. General Truman Seymour commanded 5,500 Union forces vs. 5,000 Confederates commanded by General Joseph Finegan. Three US Colored Regiments ... More

TRIVIA and FAMOUS RESIDENTS
A. Philip Randolph, one of the greatest leaders of the Civil Rights Movement and

co-organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, was born here ... More

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