Jacksonville often seems less interested in its history than any of Florida’s other major cities, despite being the oldest among them. Explaining that is a challenge, but the bicentenary seems like a good time to try. After all, this is by far the largest and most interesting city in Florida.
Two hundred years is 20 decades, or about eight human generations measured in 25 year intervals. In that sense, 200 years may seem like a short period of time, but Jacksonville’s existence in those two short centuries has been incredibly populous and eventful. Consider: Up until the year before they settled the place they called Jacksonville, its inhabitants had been Spanish subjects. During the Spanish period, free blacks enjoyed full civil rights. That began to change soon after the colony became part of the United States. Newcomers to Florida came from slave states like Georgia and South Carolina. This was also the case in Duval County, but not in Jacksonville, where many new citizens arrived from non-slave states in the north or from Europe.
Top 2 Jacksonville Neighborhoods for Young Black Professionals and Singles
Orange Park is also great for young professionals. Or as a single person who likes to be with other young people.
If you are fresh out of college or starting your career in Jacksonville, here are two more Jacksonville suburbs for single black young professionals.
Other Landmarks and Points of Interest
American Beach and Museum Founded in 1935 by Jacksonville’s own Afro-American Life Insurance Company, American Beach was the first black resort community in the state and the only beach in Northeast Florida, where African Americans could enjoy “rest and relaxation without humiliation”. The associated American Beach Museum opened its doors on September 6, 2014, fulfilling MaVynee Oshun Betsch of American Beach’s lifelong dream of “The Lady on the Beach”. To experience the culture, stories and heritage of American Beach, step inside the Arlington neighborhood of Jacksonville. Norman was a white man who was saddened by race relations in both real life and film, so he made it his mission to paint a more positive image of the black community in film. Today, four of the five original buildings have been renovated and turned into a museum to preserve the studio’s history.6337 Arlington RoadJacksonville, FL 32211904-742-7011