The story of Jacksonville can be tasted as much as it can be told. Especially amongst Jacksonville's Gullah Geechee community. The Gullah Geechee descended from enslaved Central and West Africans who worked the plantations of the Lowcountry in the coastal Southeastern United States. After the abolition of slavery, the Gullah Geechee settled in remote areas, in particular the barrier islands stretching from North Carolina to Northeast Florida, where they formed a unique culture and strong communal ties that remain today. Read More
In his first book since 2014, Jaxson co-owner Ennis Davis has collaborated with urban planner and historian Adrienne Burke to highlight the story of Jacksonville's Gullah Geechee Heritage. Preorder your author signed copy of Jacksonville's Gullah Geechee Heritage today. Read More
Centered around Ward Street in LaVilla, Jacksonville's notorious early 20th century red light district was a dense and complicated landscape that most Jaxsons know very little about. Home to more than 60 bordellos and popular madams Cora Crane, Belle Orloff and Lyda De Camp, here are five forgotten facts associated with the district. Read More
Since 2019, the Great Cities Symposium has brought substantive civic and business leaders to Jacksonville from peer cities to share their experience and expertise leading impactful projects in their communities. This year urban design luminary Victor Dover is the featured speaker at the 2026 Great Cities Symposium on February 5th, presented by Gateway Jax and Scenic Jacksonville. Read More
