Lost Jacksonville: Honeymoon/Campbell Hill
Today it's a major logistics hub for the state of Florida. During the late 19th century it was a rural community just west of downtown Jacksonville: Honeymoon.
While the average Jaxson may not be familiar with an area of Jacksonville's urban core being known as "Honeymoon," most railfans will. From the crest of the Beaver Street viaduct, many have made the voyage to see one of Florida's most important railroad junctions in action. Nearly a mile in length, the Honeymoon Yard and Wye is where the CSX Transportation (CSX), Florida East Coast (FEC), and Norfolk Southern (NS) railroads converge. However, the name Honeymoon predates this important junction.
Honeymoon was the name of Colonel Lucius Augustus Hardee's home two miles west of Jacksonville's Union Terminal. It was built within close proximity of the Florida, Atlantic and Gulf Central Railroad, which opened in 1860, linking Jacksonville and Alligator Town (Lake City). Prior to the Civil War, by 1860, Hardee was one of the largest planters and slaveholders in Florida owning long staple cotton plantations in Hamilton County, FL and the 748-acre Rural Home Plantation. A soldier in the 3rd Seminole War, Hardee was the also the first Commissioned Officer from Florida in the Civil War, serving as the Captain of a group of soldiers known as Duval's Cowboys.
Hardee's Rural Home operation was destroyed during the Civil War. Employing many of his ex-slaves, Hardee built the lavishly landscaped Honeymoon residence to replace the Rural Home. Hardee and his wife, Esther C. Haddock, selected the name in honor of her brother, William Haddock, and his new wife who were the first guest at the new residence. Here, Hardee entertained several guests, including Harriet Beecher Stowe, a noted 19th century author and seasonal resident of Mandarin. Hardee also established a citrus nursery at Honeymoon, providing trees for many new orange groves in the area.
Known as a "Renaissance Man of his Time and Place," Hardee also once believed he could cure Yellow Fever. He developed a theory that the germs of the fever floated in the air, an assumption which has since been proved by the discovery that mosquitoes transmit the disease. He believed the germs could be killed by concussion.
Map of Jacksonville, showing the location of Honeymoon and Campbell Hill in 1887.
Despite Hardee's triumphs and failures, rural life west of LaVilla and downtown Jacksonville was quickly coming to an end. By 1880, Jacksonville had replaced Pensacola as Florida's largest city. Five years later, Colonel Lucius Augustus Hardee died of malaria at the age of 56. The next year, his Honeymoon residence burned to the ground. The next year, in 1887, Honeymoon was annexed by the City of Jacksonville, along with neighboring LaVilla, Brooklyn, Riverside, Springfield, Durkeeville, East Jacksonville, Fairfield and Oakland. By this time, Honeymoon had platted streets named after fruits such as Lemon, Grape, Pinapple, Orange, Peach and Plum.
By the early 1890s, several railroad companies terminating in Jacksonville operated small isolated passenger depots. Seeing the need for a larger single terminal, railroad magnate Henry Flagler formed the Jacksonville Terminal Company in 1893. Prior to the opening of the first Union Depot at Bay and Stuart Streets, Flagler purchased a large portion of Honeymoon with the intentions of it supporting the needs of Jacksonville's new rail terminal.
Looking from the Beaver Street viaduct at Honeymoon after the development of the Jacksonville Terminal Company's railyards.
In 1896, the City of Jacksonville agreed to allow the Jacksonville Terminal Company to close ?? blocks of Honeymoon in order to expand railyards at Honeymoon. Here, the railroads stored, sorted and cleaned their sleeping cars. As a part of their agreement, the Jacksonville Terminal Company extended and widened Dennis Street, east of Lemon Street to connect with Myrtle Avenue. As a result of Honeymoon transforming into an important junction for multiple railroad companies, additional industry flocked to the area. Early manufacturing companies in Honeymoon included the Florida Ice Company, Florida Cotton Oil Company and Gress Manufacturing Company.
At the same time, during the Reconstruction, many ex-slaves flocked to growing coastal cities like Jacksonville in seek of employment and a new life as freed man. With local railroads and industry offering labor intensive employment opportunities in abundance, Honeymoon and surrounding areas become popular places to reside for the 19th century working class black population. A portion of the old Honeymoon tract between the railroads and McCoys Creek became known as Campbell Hill. Much smaller than LaVilla and Brooklyn, Campbell Hill grew to be a compact urban district nestled between the Florida Ice Company and Gress Manufacturing Company's McCoys Creek planing mill.
A brief video celebrating the celebrate the life and legacy of Lindy Hop legend Frankie Manning on what would have been his 100th birthday.
One of Campbell Hill's most famous residents was Frank Benjamin "Frankie" Manning. During the Great Migration, Manning's mother, who was a dancer, left Jacksonville, moving the family to New York in 1917. Learning to dance at an early age, Manning eventually became known as one of the founding fathers of the Lindy Hop and Swing Dancing. During his career he toured with Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and others. He also appeared in movies including Jittering Jitterbugs and Hot Chocolate, Malcolm X and Stomping at the Savoy.
While Campbell Hill contained a dense collection of residential structures, what was left of Honeymoon remained a rural residential community for much of the early 20th century. Neither neighborhood would last long after the end of World War II.
During the late 1940s, Honeymoon developed out as an industrial district characterized by street trackage, tying its factories with the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad (now CSX "A" Line). Industry in Honeymoon during this era Southern Dairies, Inc. (ice cream), Fram Florida, Inc. (canning), Vita Foods (Jelly), Linde Air Products (Liquid Oxygen and Acetylene Acid Gas) and National Biscuit Company (now known as Nabisco).
Campbell Hill remained relatively untouched and vibrant until the construction of Interstate 95's Myrtle Avenue Overpass in 1957. Subsequent expansions to Interstate 95 have resulted in the elimination of most of Campbell Hill. Today, only two houses remain in the neighborhood. Furthermore, what remains of its once vibrant business district on Myrtle Avenue survives as an eerie ghost town in the heart of the city. Over 100,000 cars drive over it everyday not knowing the history that lies under Interstate 95's Myrtle Avenue Overpass, which is now considered to be historically significant itself.
Looking east on Dennis Street in Honeymoon in 1928.
Looking north on Stockton Street at its intersection with Enterprise (Beaver) Street in 1928.
The Myrtle Avenue Subway in Campbell Hill's business district in 1928.
Aerial of Campbell Hill in 1943.
Aerial of Honeymoon and Campbell Hill in 1980. Interstate 95 can be seen severing Campbell Hill and neighboring LaVilla (north of railroad terminal).
Campbell Hill Today
This building at the intersection of Harper and Ives Streets was the long time location of the First Samuel Baptist Church.
Campbell Hill's last two houses are situated at the intersection of Harper and Hanover Streets, just north of McCoys Creek. Both structures are over 100 years old.
Headed east on Harper Street, under a maze of support columns for Interstate 95's Myrtle Avenue Overpass. Most of what was Campbell Hill has disappeared to make room for Interstate 95 and associated expansions since 1960.
Myrtle Avenue: Campbell Hill's Abandoned Business District
Mrytle Avenue, between Dennis Street and McCoys Creek, was the business district for campbell Hill and neighborhing Honeymoon before the construction and opening of Interstate 95 in 1960.
The Myrtle Avenue Subway was constructed by the Jacksonville Terminal Company in 1909. The central section of the subway accommodated the streetcar line that connected Honeymoon and Campbell Hill with downtown Jacksonville.
Dating back to 1909, past tenants include Dezzie Barber's grocery market and Mrs. Amanda Foster's tavern.
Completed in 1909, this building's tenants included Jackson Smart's tavern and George Moskowitz's market.A nearby structure dating back to 1920 that still stands has housed several businesses including the Circus Bar and Jackson Smart's pool room.
Built in 1920 and still used as an auto repair shop, this building was once home to Jos Bloodworth Auto Repair.
Honeymoon Today
The historic heart of Honeymoon hasn't changed much over the last century. It's still an important railyard and junction point. Here, CSX, FEC, and NS railroads converge.
A portion of the Honeymoon is occupied by TTX Company's repair shops and fabrication facility. TTX Company is a leading provider of railcars and related freight car management services to the North American rail industry.
The I-95 viaduct towering over Honeymoon.
Honeymoon Yard from I-95. The Beaver Street viaduct can be seen in the background.
Dennis Street
After the abandonment and conversion of most of Honeymoon into a railyard, the Jacksonville Terminal Company funded the extension of Beaver Street to connect with Myrtle Avenue. Soon, Dennis Street became an important industrial connection between Myrtle Avenue and Stockton Street. A century later, Dennis Street is still home to heavy industry, communications and logistics companies.
Rexel Electrical & Datacom Supplies
Sunshine Peanut Company is Florida's only peanut butter manufacturer.
Kelly's Foods operates a poultry plant at 2240 Dennis Street.
Oscar G. Carlstedt Company is a wholesale floral company. Battalion Airsoft Arena is one of the Southeast’s largest Indoor AirSoft Arenas. The Battalion features a 40,000 square foot indoor field, an Airsoft Store, Gun Tech Department and a 6,700 square foot Players Lounge.
Cain & Bultman, Inc. provides sales, marketing and logistical services for the flooring industries top brand manufacturers. Their operation is located on the former site of the late 19th century Florida Cotton Oil Company.
The former site of Libert Steel, Inc.
Stockton Street
Stockton Street serves as the west border of this district. An important connector between Riverside and Beaver Street, some of Stockton Street's industrial buildings date back to the early 20th century.
The former location of South Atlantic Cold Storage.
The Drummond Press was founded by John and Alberta Drummond in 1939. Today it is the largest printing company ever headquartered in Northeast Florida, one of the largest in the southeast, ranked in the top ten women owned business in the State of Florida and one of the top 100 fastest growing printing companies in the Nation. Currently, Drummond has clients throughout the Nation and employs over 100 professionals with total revenues of approximately $20 million.
Unique Honeymoon
Most of the Honeymoon area west of the CSX "A" Line is a part of the West Honeymoon subdivision. Originally home to modest frame structures for working class African-Americans, the neighborhood transformed into industry shortly after World War II. Although its railroad sidings are no longer active, rail in the center of its streets make it a unique part of Jacksonville's urban core.
Seewalds Subdivision
While no more residential structures exist in West Honeymoon, a few remain scattered with industry in a small early 20th century residential development platted as Seewalds subdivision. It's a quiet place in Jacksonville's urban core where turns down side streets can reveal interesting things.
Article and images by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com
Honeymoon was the name of Colonel Lucius Augustus Hardee's home two miles west of Jacksonville's Union Terminal. It was built within close proximity of the Florida, Atlantic and Gulf Central Railroad, which opened in 1860, linking Jacksonville and Alligator Town (Lake City). Prior to the Civil War, by 1860, Hardee was one of the largest planters and slaveholders in Florida owning long staple cotton plantations in Hamilton County, FL and the 748-acre Rural Home Plantation. A soldier in the 3rd Seminole War, Hardee was the also the first Commissioned Officer from Florida in the Civil War, serving as the Captain of a group of soldiers known as Duval's Cowboys.
Hardee's Rural Home operation was destroyed during the Civil War. Employing many of his ex-slaves, Hardee built the lavishly landscaped Honeymoon residence to replace the Rural Home. Hardee and his wife, Esther C. Haddock, selected the name in honor of her brother, William Haddock, and his new wife who were the first guest at the new residence. Here, Hardee entertained several guests, including Harriet Beecher Stowe, a noted 19th century author and seasonal resident of Mandarin. Hardee also established a citrus nursery at Honeymoon, providing trees for many new orange groves in the area.
Known as a "Renaissance Man of his Time and Place," Hardee also once believed he could cure Yellow Fever. He developed a theory that the germs of the fever floated in the air, an assumption which has since been proved by the discovery that mosquitoes transmit the disease. He believed the germs could be killed by concussion.
Map of Jacksonville, showing the location of Honeymoon and Campbell Hill in 1887.
Despite Hardee's triumphs and failures, rural life west of LaVilla and downtown Jacksonville was quickly coming to an end. By 1880, Jacksonville had replaced Pensacola as Florida's largest city. Five years later, Colonel Lucius Augustus Hardee died of malaria at the age of 56. The next year, his Honeymoon residence burned to the ground. The next year, in 1887, Honeymoon was annexed by the City of Jacksonville, along with neighboring LaVilla, Brooklyn, Riverside, Springfield, Durkeeville, East Jacksonville, Fairfield and Oakland. By this time, Honeymoon had platted streets named after fruits such as Lemon, Grape, Pinapple, Orange, Peach and Plum.
By the early 1890s, several railroad companies terminating in Jacksonville operated small isolated passenger depots. Seeing the need for a larger single terminal, railroad magnate Henry Flagler formed the Jacksonville Terminal Company in 1893. Prior to the opening of the first Union Depot at Bay and Stuart Streets, Flagler purchased a large portion of Honeymoon with the intentions of it supporting the needs of Jacksonville's new rail terminal.
Looking from the Beaver Street viaduct at Honeymoon after the development of the Jacksonville Terminal Company's railyards.
In 1896, the City of Jacksonville agreed to allow the Jacksonville Terminal Company to close ?? blocks of Honeymoon in order to expand railyards at Honeymoon. Here, the railroads stored, sorted and cleaned their sleeping cars. As a part of their agreement, the Jacksonville Terminal Company extended and widened Dennis Street, east of Lemon Street to connect with Myrtle Avenue. As a result of Honeymoon transforming into an important junction for multiple railroad companies, additional industry flocked to the area. Early manufacturing companies in Honeymoon included the Florida Ice Company, Florida Cotton Oil Company and Gress Manufacturing Company.
At the same time, during the Reconstruction, many ex-slaves flocked to growing coastal cities like Jacksonville in seek of employment and a new life as freed man. With local railroads and industry offering labor intensive employment opportunities in abundance, Honeymoon and surrounding areas become popular places to reside for the 19th century working class black population. A portion of the old Honeymoon tract between the railroads and McCoys Creek became known as Campbell Hill. Much smaller than LaVilla and Brooklyn, Campbell Hill grew to be a compact urban district nestled between the Florida Ice Company and Gress Manufacturing Company's McCoys Creek planing mill.
A brief video celebrating the celebrate the life and legacy of Lindy Hop legend Frankie Manning on what would have been his 100th birthday.
One of Campbell Hill's most famous residents was Frank Benjamin "Frankie" Manning. During the Great Migration, Manning's mother, who was a dancer, left Jacksonville, moving the family to New York in 1917. Learning to dance at an early age, Manning eventually became known as one of the founding fathers of the Lindy Hop and Swing Dancing. During his career he toured with Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and others. He also appeared in movies including Jittering Jitterbugs and Hot Chocolate, Malcolm X and Stomping at the Savoy.
While Campbell Hill contained a dense collection of residential structures, what was left of Honeymoon remained a rural residential community for much of the early 20th century. Neither neighborhood would last long after the end of World War II.
During the late 1940s, Honeymoon developed out as an industrial district characterized by street trackage, tying its factories with the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad (now CSX "A" Line). Industry in Honeymoon during this era Southern Dairies, Inc. (ice cream), Fram Florida, Inc. (canning), Vita Foods (Jelly), Linde Air Products (Liquid Oxygen and Acetylene Acid Gas) and National Biscuit Company (now known as Nabisco).
Campbell Hill remained relatively untouched and vibrant until the construction of Interstate 95's Myrtle Avenue Overpass in 1957. Subsequent expansions to Interstate 95 have resulted in the elimination of most of Campbell Hill. Today, only two houses remain in the neighborhood. Furthermore, what remains of its once vibrant business district on Myrtle Avenue survives as an eerie ghost town in the heart of the city. Over 100,000 cars drive over it everyday not knowing the history that lies under Interstate 95's Myrtle Avenue Overpass, which is now considered to be historically significant itself.
Looking east on Dennis Street in Honeymoon in 1928.
Looking north on Stockton Street at its intersection with Enterprise (Beaver) Street in 1928.
The Myrtle Avenue Subway in Campbell Hill's business district in 1928.
Aerial of Campbell Hill in 1943.
Aerial of Honeymoon and Campbell Hill in 1980. Interstate 95 can be seen severing Campbell Hill and neighboring LaVilla (north of railroad terminal).
Campbell Hill Today
This building at the intersection of Harper and Ives Streets was the long time location of the First Samuel Baptist Church.
Campbell Hill's last two houses are situated at the intersection of Harper and Hanover Streets, just north of McCoys Creek. Both structures are over 100 years old.
Headed east on Harper Street, under a maze of support columns for Interstate 95's Myrtle Avenue Overpass. Most of what was Campbell Hill has disappeared to make room for Interstate 95 and associated expansions since 1960.
Myrtle Avenue: Campbell Hill's Abandoned Business District
Mrytle Avenue, between Dennis Street and McCoys Creek, was the business district for campbell Hill and neighborhing Honeymoon before the construction and opening of Interstate 95 in 1960.
The Myrtle Avenue Subway was constructed by the Jacksonville Terminal Company in 1909. The central section of the subway accommodated the streetcar line that connected Honeymoon and Campbell Hill with downtown Jacksonville.
Dating back to 1909, past tenants include Dezzie Barber's grocery market and Mrs. Amanda Foster's tavern.
Completed in 1909, this building's tenants included Jackson Smart's tavern and George Moskowitz's market.A nearby structure dating back to 1920 that still stands has housed several businesses including the Circus Bar and Jackson Smart's pool room.
Built in 1920 and still used as an auto repair shop, this building was once home to Jos Bloodworth Auto Repair.
Honeymoon Today
The historic heart of Honeymoon hasn't changed much over the last century. It's still an important railyard and junction point. Here, CSX, FEC, and NS railroads converge.
A portion of the Honeymoon is occupied by TTX Company's repair shops and fabrication facility. TTX Company is a leading provider of railcars and related freight car management services to the North American rail industry.
The I-95 viaduct towering over Honeymoon.
Honeymoon Yard from I-95. The Beaver Street viaduct can be seen in the background.
Dennis Street
After the abandonment and conversion of most of Honeymoon into a railyard, the Jacksonville Terminal Company funded the extension of Beaver Street to connect with Myrtle Avenue. Soon, Dennis Street became an important industrial connection between Myrtle Avenue and Stockton Street. A century later, Dennis Street is still home to heavy industry, communications and logistics companies.
Rexel Electrical & Datacom Supplies
Sunshine Peanut Company is Florida's only peanut butter manufacturer.
Kelly's Foods operates a poultry plant at 2240 Dennis Street.
Oscar G. Carlstedt Company is a wholesale floral company. Battalion Airsoft Arena is one of the Southeast’s largest Indoor AirSoft Arenas. The Battalion features a 40,000 square foot indoor field, an Airsoft Store, Gun Tech Department and a 6,700 square foot Players Lounge.
Cain & Bultman, Inc. provides sales, marketing and logistical services for the flooring industries top brand manufacturers. Their operation is located on the former site of the late 19th century Florida Cotton Oil Company.
The former site of Libert Steel, Inc.
Stockton Street
Stockton Street serves as the west border of this district. An important connector between Riverside and Beaver Street, some of Stockton Street's industrial buildings date back to the early 20th century.
The former location of South Atlantic Cold Storage.
The Drummond Press was founded by John and Alberta Drummond in 1939. Today it is the largest printing company ever headquartered in Northeast Florida, one of the largest in the southeast, ranked in the top ten women owned business in the State of Florida and one of the top 100 fastest growing printing companies in the Nation. Currently, Drummond has clients throughout the Nation and employs over 100 professionals with total revenues of approximately $20 million.
Unique Honeymoon
Most of the Honeymoon area west of the CSX "A" Line is a part of the West Honeymoon subdivision. Originally home to modest frame structures for working class African-Americans, the neighborhood transformed into industry shortly after World War II. Although its railroad sidings are no longer active, rail in the center of its streets make it a unique part of Jacksonville's urban core.
Seewalds Subdivision
While no more residential structures exist in West Honeymoon, a few remain scattered with industry in a small early 20th century residential development platted as Seewalds subdivision. It's a quiet place in Jacksonville's urban core where turns down side streets can reveal interesting things.
Article and images by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com