The bridge that forever changed the River City
Antique cars, relics and memories shared during a celebration of the Acosta Bridge When the Acosta Bridge opened on July 1, 1921, it changed the “geography of [Jacksonville’s] mind to greater possibilities and opportunities,” as Alan Bliss, Jacksonville Historical Society executive director, noted in his remarks at the 100th anniversary celebration of the opening of […]
SMPS Annual Meeting draws leadership, award winners
Newly appointed SMPS President, Desiree Bailey of the San Marco Bookstore presents Immediate Past President Chris Woolston a plaque for his hard work and dedication as President. San Marco’s most engaged and active stewards were on hand to celebrate a wrap up of accomplishments and goals attained during a year fraught with difficulty due to […]
Jacksonville’s million-dollar bridge celebrates 100 years of service
On July 1, 1921, 5,000 automobiles drove across the first bridge built to cross over the St. Johns River to connect the north bank of the river to the south bank. That may have been nearly every car in Jacksonville, as reported in Jacksonville’s Architectural Heritage by noted local historian Wayne Wood, because only about […]
Wine Down in the Parks a smash for grape lovers
The annual Wine Down in the Parks celebration, hosted annually by the San Marco Preservation Society, was a success for the local preservation group. Patrons, organizers, and volunteers survived an early threat of rain, as the skies opened with sunshine in the latter part of Saturday afternoon, March 24. Ticket purchasers were spared disappointment, and […]
New law spells out maintenance duties in San Marco Square and public right-of-ways
For more than a decade, there has been a sort of informal “gentleman’s agreement” between the San Marco Preservation Society (SMPS), the San Marco Merchants Association (SMMA) and the City of Jacksonville’s Parks and Recreation Department when it came to shared responsibilities concerning the maintenance of Balis Park and the city right of ways surrounding […]
SMMA, SMPS members mingle amidst twinkling city lights
The weather could not be more perfect when more than 100 members of the San Marco Preservation Society (SMPS) and the San Marco Merchants Association (SMMA) gathered for a social early evening get-together on the rooftop of the Museum of Science and History Jan. 16. Twinkling city lights and soft, unseasonably warm winter breezes surrounded […]
Planning Commission green lights Park Place at San Marco
In January South Jacksonville Presbyterian Church moved one step closer to receiving approval to have its nearly three-acre San Marco Square property rezoned so that a developer can purchase and build a multi-family apartment complex and parking garage on the site. After receiving approval from the Jacksonville Planning Department to transform its zoning into a […]
