Over the years, Jacksonville Beach’s Players by the Sea community theatre has presented a number of outstanding summer musicals. This year’s selection, staged during July 20 – August 12, 2018 is noteworthy in many ways. In 2008, “” was nominated for 13 Tony awards and won 4, including Best Musical and Best Original Score; in 2009, it was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize Award for drama. The play presents a slice of life story in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City. The community is ethnically diverse, with Hispanics being the largest group. The music and lyrics were …
Read More »FREE PARKING – Centuries of History in Ortega’s Parks
The is known for its giant oak trees, waterfront views, and historic homes. Nestled between the St. Johns and Ortega rivers, the area was designated as a US historic district in 2004. The peninsula is a mostly residential area with abundant green spaces and a wealth of parks. On any given weekend, you can see Ortega residents and tourists riding bikes, tossing a frisbee, walking their dogs, or playing flag football in one of these green spaces: 4021 Ortega Blvd A gilded iron entryway introduces this park, named after , president of the Ortega Company and the resident responsible …
Read More »Home Sweet Ortega
Ortega: Historic & Beautiful Once an island, now a spit of a peninsula protruding into the ’s western waters and threading into the Ortega and s, there is a neighborhood called . Its eastern part is known as and western as , split in the middle by Roosevelt Boulevard, or US17. Verona Boulevard splits Old Ortega, the eastern part known as the by the . Wealthy, as well as historic, the neighborhood was part of a . In 1763, Spain ceded Florida to England. Soon, the Jones Plantation was made residence for cattle by owner and Scotsman (also known …
Read More »Big Smiles For Ortega Landmark – Old Carter’s Pharmacy
Ask any resident about , and you’ll get a big smile. That’s because it’s been a part of the local landscape for decades. Tucked away in Old Ortega, on Corinthian Avenue off Ortega Blvd, this old-fashioned pharmacy and lunch counter has been catering to the neighborhood for sixty years. , a longtime Ortega resident, has fond memories of Carter’s growing up. “It was the real center of everything,” he says. More than just a pharmacy, the store boasted a traditional soda fountain and lunch counter (and still does today), and also played the role of bank and post office in …
Read More »Timuquana Country Club and the Florida Yacht Club: History of Ortega’s Private Clubs
Golf Clubs & Mainsails – Ortega’s Private Clubs In the early days of the 20th century, Jacksonville was a social and cultural hotspot. With a flourishing silent film industry and a warm climate, the city attracted wealthy families from all over the country for social events and recreational activities during the winter months. For these visitors, was ideally located, surrounded by water and an oasis from the hustle and bustle of downtown. It’s no surprise that two of the city’s oldest institutions, the and , opened during this time. The oldest of these, the Florida Yacht Club, was founded in …
Read More »Eco Relics at One Spark
It’s a time warp. The 50,000 sq. ft. warehouse is busting at the seams with items that span centuries. In addition to the age of the inventory, it’s a time warp in the sense that you can spend hours in Eco Relics without realizing it. The items are a recycled reservoir of Jacksonville history and a convergence of classic quality and new vision. It’s part hardware store, antique shop, building material supplier and thrift store with a knowledgeable, inventive staff. Eco Relics took part in last year’s One Spark festival after having been open for only one week. The festival …
Read More »The 14 Best Things that Happened in Jacksonville in 2014
Now that it is possible to fully reflect on the year that was 2014 it is safe to say it was the most energized and productive 12 months seen in Jacksonville in decades! EU Jacksonville invites you to be inspired by our listing of the 14 Best Things of 2014. And by all means share your own opinion: if you think there is something monumental we overlooked, if you truly disagree that our choices are worthy or if you want to compliment us on our taste, please do so at our Facebook page. 14. Street Food Makes a Home in …
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