Lakewood and Institutions of Higher Learning

Lakewood is located at the intersection of San Jose and University Blvd’s. It’s a predominantly residential area developed by Walter Crabtree during the 1950s. The community has several churches, two shopping centers, and a number of streets named after major private colleges, including Clemson, Cornell, Fordham, Furman, Stetson, Duke, Colgate, Temple, Mercer and Emory.

Riverview and Presidents

Perched on hills and bluffs between the Trout and Ribault Rivers, Riverview is one of the few neighborhoods outside of the historic urban core that was designed to be every bit as walkable and grand as Riverside/Avondale, Springfield, and San Marco. Platted in 1911, Dr. E.H. Armstrong believed his 3,000 lot million dollar suburb was destined for great things. So great that several streets were named after United States Presidents. Ultimately, Armstrong’s massive development never fully took off but today you can still find streets going by the names of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Monroe, Jackson, Van Buren, Harrison, Tyler and Polk.

Royal Terrace and HBCUs

Located in Northwest Jacksonville, Edward Waters College is the oldest Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the state of Florida. However, it’s not the only HBCU receiving love on this side of town. You’ll discover a host of HBCU themed street names along W 45th Street between Avenue B and Moncrief Road. A few examples include Tuskegee Road, Morehouse Road, Spellman Road, Benedict Road and Xavier Road.

Sherwood Forest and Robin Hood

Originally platted around 1910, this Jacksonville neighborhood was largely developed between 1960 and 1980. Bound by the Trout River to the north and the Ribault on the south, it was named after a royal forest in Nottinghamshire, England, famous for its historic association with the legend of Robin Hood. Naturally, Sherwood Forest’s streets come with whimsical names after characters and places associated with Robin Hood stories. Thus, in this side of town, you’ll find streets going by the names of Castle, Devonshire, Foxboro, Donnybrook and Locksley.

Sweetwater and the Bible

If you’re into Christianity, Sweetwater may be the community for you. This section of southwest Jacksonville was settled by freed slaves after the Civil War. According to local folklore, its name came from a day when a barrel of syrup fell off a wagon into a stream in the vicinity. Nevertheless, nestled adjacent to Cedar Hills, its list of streets named after Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Ester and Moses are as biblical as you’ll find exploring the city.

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