Urban Core in Jacksonville in Duval County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Jacksonville Young Mens Christian Association

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 17, 2019

1. Jacksonville Young Mens Christian Association Marker

Inscription. Originally built for
Jacksonville Young Mens Christian
Association
Construction in 1908
Henry John Klutho Architect
Southern Ferro Concrete Co. Builder
The building located on the corner of Hemming Plaza was Florida’s first reinforced concrete frame structure and a significant architectural achievement.

Kluthos’s design embraced his personal expression of the prairie school style Which evolved from a movement led by the renowned architects Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. This design approach was truly of American origin and the YMCA Building is an architectural treasure of Jacksonville.

Unique figures included a swimming pool, gymnasium, and a shaded garden, handball court and bowling alley for outside activities on the roof.

In 1927 extensive renovation was undertaken to provide retail shops on the first floor with offices on upper floors. All YMCA features were removed.

Again in 1945 the building was remodeled for Haverty Furniture Company with new façade at first floor.

In 2007 the Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund embarked on the project of restoration of the original building and give it new life with offices for the city of Jacksonville.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic

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lists: Architecture • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations. In addition, it is included in the Frank Lloyd Wright series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 30° 19.782′ N, 81° 39.509′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville, Florida, in Duval County. It is in Urban Core. It is on North Laura Street south of West Duval Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 407 N Laura St, Jacksonville FL 32202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Florida’s First Coast.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: King’s Road Meets Apalache Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Jacksonville Public Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Jacksonville Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); John Fitzgerald Kennedy (within shouting distance of this marker); Jacksonville's 1901 Fire (about 300 feet away); Votes for Women (about 300 feet away); 1960 Civil Rights Demonstration (about 400 feet away); The Seminole Club (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Confederate Memorial 1861-1865 (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 17, 2019

2. Jacksonville Young Mens Christian Association Marker

has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 349 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 26, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.