35 Robert Street was built in 1948 by “Mr. E,” Earnest Davis. When built, it was one of the first residences west of Mayport Road.

Around since 1963, the Voo Swar Restaurant & Lounge was built incrementally over a decade by “Mr. E,” Earnest Davis. Featuring a pool room, dance hall and stage, Davis built the business as a place for Black sailors to hang out during Jim Crow and the years immediately following desegregation.

Built from salvaged materials, the Voo Swar Restaurant & Lounge building contains steel from the old Atlantic Beach Hotel, seating from Le Chateau Bar & Restaurant and concrete from B.B. McCormick.

A mural of Mr. E. that was painted by Boston-based artist Hiero Veiga on the back wall of Voo Swar. Located at 51 Robert Street, the tavern, that still serves dishes like fresh shrimp and fish, was named for the keystone, voussoir.

The Triumph Apostolic Faith Church at 1834 George Street.

1800 and 1810 George Street are 694 and 460-square-foot residences that were both built in 1955.

65 Edgar Street was built in 1953.

The Church of the Living God Pillar & Ground of the Truth at 35 Edgar Street.

1790 Mayport Road was that last location of the Roland Seafood Company. The business was started by Mat Roland, Sr. who migrated to Mayport from Fuseta, Portugal, where he became a shrimper. Then a third generation business, its owners retired in early 2023. Still owning the building, they leased the space for a few months to recently closed Snowden Seafood.

93 and 83 Lewis Street are duplexes that were constructed in 1945.

The New Community Baptist Church building at 84 Lewis Street was completed in 1970.

The First Born Church of the Living God at 75 Lewis Street.

The Gail Baker Community Center and Donner Park at 2072 George Street. The community center in Donner Park is named in honor of Gail Baker. Called Ms. Gail by nearby residents, Baker managed the community center for nearly 20 years before passing in 2014. Arriving to the area from Savannah during the 1970s, she was known for looking after neighborhood kids when they came home from school, until their mothers came home from work.

Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com