13 Things In Jacksonville You Didn’t Know Existed
13 things in Jacksonville you didn't know existed, according to Brian Arthur of real estate blog Movoto.com.
1. This Island Oasis For Birds Is Like A Cute Animal Youtube Video On Steroids
Source: B.E.A.K.S. via Facebook
If you’ve ever wanted your heart to melt right out of your body, visit BEAKS—it’s like your favorite cute internet animal video x 100. The Talbot Island bird sanctuary specializes in rehabilitating injured and orphaned birds of all kinds and getting them back to the business of being in the wild. The sanctuary also serves as an education and family learning center.
2. Sgt. Quackers Is The Best Piece Of Public Art Ever
Source: University of North Florida via Facebook
Every city seems to have one piece of public art that leaves you wondering “why on earth does that exist?” For Jacksonville, that piece of art is Sgt. Quackers.
The massive rubber duck was created by University of North Florida students for last year’s One Spark Festival, and has been seen pretty much everywhere around town, form Hemming Plaza to the UNF Campus to the Jacksonville Zoo. Sgt. Quackers can currently be seen in front of Duckys Express Carwash, fittingly enough.
3. Jacksonville Is One Of The Only Places In America Where You Can Learn To Weld Under Water
Source: Flickr user Official U.S. Navy Page
“Underwater welding school” sounds kind of like “underwater basket weaving”—essentially, shorthand for a college class that’s too weird to actually exist. In reality, underwater welding is both an important and well-paying gig. With the Commercial Diving Academy, Jacksonville is home to one of just a few underwater welding schools in the country. Hey, it’s never too late for a career change.
4. This Place Is One Hidden Gem Of A Russian Restaurant
Source: Gastronome Cafe via Facebook
A truly hidden gem of a Jacksonville eatery, Gastronome Cafe is a specialty Russian/European market worth seeking out to find all sorts of assorted items you can’t find at a traditional grocer. There’s also a small cafe with a few tables. For any effort you put into tracking Gastronome down, you’ll be rewarded with the best gyros, blintzes, Russian dumplings and cappuccino in town.
5. Who Knew J.C. Penney Was Was A Utopian Idealist?
Source: Flickr user Ebyabe
In 1926, James Cash Penney (yes, of J.C. Penney), tried do something we’ve all dreamed of, but rarely have the fortitude or hubris to do: he created his own utopian village. Well, he tried, at least. Penney farms, an experimental town intended to be a "scientifically-managed agricultural community” didn’t last long after the stock market crash.
Instead, Penney ended up using Penney Farms as a home for retired ministers. Today, it exists as a Christian retirement home and small Jacksonville town.
6. You Don’t Need To Go To Disney World To See A Castle In Florida
Source: Flickr user Rob Bixby
Privately built between 1984 and 1991 to “designate a place of peace upon this earth,” St. Augustine’s Castle Otttis is modeled after a 1,000 year old Irish castle, and won an award from the American Institute of Architects in 1992 for “the creation of a new landmark.” It’s also, without a doubt, the only landmark in Jacksonville spelled with three consecutive “t”s.
7. Jacksonville Has Its Own Version Of Kickstarter
Source: One Spark Festival via Facebook
Crowdfunding is usually thought of as a enterprise reserved for the digital space, but the One Spark Festival puts crowdfunding in a physical space in a big way by bringing innovators to downtown Jacksonville. The one-of-a-kind fest launched in 2013, and has brought creative minds in the areas of art, innovation, music, science, and technology to the city to claim $300,000 bucks in prize money for great ideas.
8. Peek Behind The Bookshelf In The Grape & Grain Exchange For A Speakeasy Surprise
Source: Grape & Grain Exchange via Facebook
Grape & Grain Exchange is like a mullet: all business up front, a party in the back. Up front, it’s a wine, beer, and liquor shop that lets you open up your bottles, order cheese plates and drink on site. But hidden behind a bookshelf, you’ll find the Exchange’s speakeasy, known as The Parlour, with jazz, craft cocktails, and 1930s ambiance.
9. One Of America’s Greatest Writers Wintered Here
Source: Wikimedia Commons user Moni3
Anti-slavery activist and author Harriet Beecher Stowe, best known for her influential anti-slavery novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” was a native of Connecticut, but wintered on the St. John’s River near Jacksonville, in what was once known as Mandarin. Though her house no longer stands, it’s still a history buff’s paradise.
10. You Won’t Guess Where This Classy Outdoor Lounge Is Located
Source: La Dolce Vita Studio
Jacksonville’s main downtown public library is known for being a rather stately-looking 300,000 square foot building that’s sat at Hemming Plaza since 2005. But if you live in the area and have never taken the time to stop inside, you’re missing out—the library’s outdoor rooftop courtyard, overlooking downtown, is one of the quaintest, prettiest spots in the city.
11. And This Fancy Building Isn’t Where You’d Expect It To Be
Source: Wikimedia Commons user Maksim Sundukov
Home to just 2,500 students, St. Augustine’s Flagler College is one beautiful small liberal arts school. The college’s main building, Ponce de Leon Hall, formerly served as a luxury hotel, and is fancy in ways that are usually reserved for royalty, both inside and out. That picture above? That’s the building’s dining hall.
12. The Oldest European Settlement In America Isn’t In Plymouth Or Jamestown
Source: Flickr user Doug Kerr
History time. What’s the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States? Jamestown? Nope, about 50 years too late, and they jumped ship pretty early. Plymouth? Same deal. St. Augustine, located in the greater Jacksonville metropolitan area holds the title. It was founded by the Spanish in September 1565, and they have the preserved historical ruins to prove it.
13. This Museum Has Reams Of History You’ll Want To Check Out
Source: Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum via Facebook
If you’re from Jacksonville, there’s a good chance you’ve never even heard of the Springfield’s Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, making it one of the city’s true hidden treasures. Housed in the former First Church of Christ’s Classical Revival-style building, the museum is free and features rotating art exhibitions and selections from the world’s largest private collection of manuscripts, documents and antique books.
Featured Image Source: University of North Florida (Official Fan Page) via Facebook
Did we miss anything? Tell us your favorite secret spot in Jacksonville in the comments below!
Article by Brian Arthur of Movoto at https://www.movoto.com/jacksonville-al/jacksonville-secrets/
Source: B.E.A.K.S. via Facebook
If you’ve ever wanted your heart to melt right out of your body, visit BEAKS—it’s like your favorite cute internet animal video x 100. The Talbot Island bird sanctuary specializes in rehabilitating injured and orphaned birds of all kinds and getting them back to the business of being in the wild. The sanctuary also serves as an education and family learning center.
2. Sgt. Quackers Is The Best Piece Of Public Art Ever
Source: University of North Florida via Facebook
Every city seems to have one piece of public art that leaves you wondering “why on earth does that exist?” For Jacksonville, that piece of art is Sgt. Quackers.
The massive rubber duck was created by University of North Florida students for last year’s One Spark Festival, and has been seen pretty much everywhere around town, form Hemming Plaza to the UNF Campus to the Jacksonville Zoo. Sgt. Quackers can currently be seen in front of Duckys Express Carwash, fittingly enough.
3. Jacksonville Is One Of The Only Places In America Where You Can Learn To Weld Under Water
Source: Flickr user Official U.S. Navy Page
“Underwater welding school” sounds kind of like “underwater basket weaving”—essentially, shorthand for a college class that’s too weird to actually exist. In reality, underwater welding is both an important and well-paying gig. With the Commercial Diving Academy, Jacksonville is home to one of just a few underwater welding schools in the country. Hey, it’s never too late for a career change.
4. This Place Is One Hidden Gem Of A Russian Restaurant
Source: Gastronome Cafe via Facebook
A truly hidden gem of a Jacksonville eatery, Gastronome Cafe is a specialty Russian/European market worth seeking out to find all sorts of assorted items you can’t find at a traditional grocer. There’s also a small cafe with a few tables. For any effort you put into tracking Gastronome down, you’ll be rewarded with the best gyros, blintzes, Russian dumplings and cappuccino in town.
5. Who Knew J.C. Penney Was Was A Utopian Idealist?
Source: Flickr user Ebyabe
In 1926, James Cash Penney (yes, of J.C. Penney), tried do something we’ve all dreamed of, but rarely have the fortitude or hubris to do: he created his own utopian village. Well, he tried, at least. Penney farms, an experimental town intended to be a "scientifically-managed agricultural community” didn’t last long after the stock market crash.
Instead, Penney ended up using Penney Farms as a home for retired ministers. Today, it exists as a Christian retirement home and small Jacksonville town.
6. You Don’t Need To Go To Disney World To See A Castle In Florida
Source: Flickr user Rob Bixby
Privately built between 1984 and 1991 to “designate a place of peace upon this earth,” St. Augustine’s Castle Otttis is modeled after a 1,000 year old Irish castle, and won an award from the American Institute of Architects in 1992 for “the creation of a new landmark.” It’s also, without a doubt, the only landmark in Jacksonville spelled with three consecutive “t”s.
7. Jacksonville Has Its Own Version Of Kickstarter
Source: One Spark Festival via Facebook
Crowdfunding is usually thought of as a enterprise reserved for the digital space, but the One Spark Festival puts crowdfunding in a physical space in a big way by bringing innovators to downtown Jacksonville. The one-of-a-kind fest launched in 2013, and has brought creative minds in the areas of art, innovation, music, science, and technology to the city to claim $300,000 bucks in prize money for great ideas.
8. Peek Behind The Bookshelf In The Grape & Grain Exchange For A Speakeasy Surprise
Source: Grape & Grain Exchange via Facebook
Grape & Grain Exchange is like a mullet: all business up front, a party in the back. Up front, it’s a wine, beer, and liquor shop that lets you open up your bottles, order cheese plates and drink on site. But hidden behind a bookshelf, you’ll find the Exchange’s speakeasy, known as The Parlour, with jazz, craft cocktails, and 1930s ambiance.
9. One Of America’s Greatest Writers Wintered Here
Source: Wikimedia Commons user Moni3
Anti-slavery activist and author Harriet Beecher Stowe, best known for her influential anti-slavery novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” was a native of Connecticut, but wintered on the St. John’s River near Jacksonville, in what was once known as Mandarin. Though her house no longer stands, it’s still a history buff’s paradise.
10. You Won’t Guess Where This Classy Outdoor Lounge Is Located
Source: La Dolce Vita Studio
Jacksonville’s main downtown public library is known for being a rather stately-looking 300,000 square foot building that’s sat at Hemming Plaza since 2005. But if you live in the area and have never taken the time to stop inside, you’re missing out—the library’s outdoor rooftop courtyard, overlooking downtown, is one of the quaintest, prettiest spots in the city.
11. And This Fancy Building Isn’t Where You’d Expect It To Be
Source: Wikimedia Commons user Maksim Sundukov
Home to just 2,500 students, St. Augustine’s Flagler College is one beautiful small liberal arts school. The college’s main building, Ponce de Leon Hall, formerly served as a luxury hotel, and is fancy in ways that are usually reserved for royalty, both inside and out. That picture above? That’s the building’s dining hall.
12. The Oldest European Settlement In America Isn’t In Plymouth Or Jamestown
Source: Flickr user Doug Kerr
History time. What’s the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States? Jamestown? Nope, about 50 years too late, and they jumped ship pretty early. Plymouth? Same deal. St. Augustine, located in the greater Jacksonville metropolitan area holds the title. It was founded by the Spanish in September 1565, and they have the preserved historical ruins to prove it.
13. This Museum Has Reams Of History You’ll Want To Check Out
Source: Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum via Facebook
If you’re from Jacksonville, there’s a good chance you’ve never even heard of the Springfield’s Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, making it one of the city’s true hidden treasures. Housed in the former First Church of Christ’s Classical Revival-style building, the museum is free and features rotating art exhibitions and selections from the world’s largest private collection of manuscripts, documents and antique books.
Featured Image Source: University of North Florida (Official Fan Page) via Facebook
Did we miss anything? Tell us your favorite secret spot in Jacksonville in the comments below!
Article by Brian Arthur of Movoto at https://www.movoto.com/jacksonville-al/jacksonville-secrets/