Mid-Westside in Jacksonville in Duval County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Durkeeville
Historic African-American Sites
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, April 19, 2020
1. Durkeeville Marker
Durkeeville is the historic African-American community that began in the 1930s. It encompasses Durkee Gardens (an affluent subdivision), and is partly located in Mid-Westside Jacksonville. The community is named for the Durkee family that owned property in the area. The founder of the family in Jacksonville was Joseph Harvey Durkee, a white native of New York state and a former Union military officer of the Civil War. Colonel Durkee, a decorated hero who lost an arm in the war, settled in Jacksonville and became a prominent businessman and politician. His son, Dr. Jay H. Durkee continued the family involvement in real estate.
In 1937 the first federally funded housing complex for African Americans in the city, the Durkeeville Housing Project, built on land sold by Dr. Jay Durkee to the city of Jacksonville and the federal government was completed . In 1992 the housing project was demolished and a new housing complex, The Oaks of Durkeeville, was constructed.
Erected by Durkeeville Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: African Americans.
Location. 30° 20.837′ N, 81° 40.287′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville, Florida, in Duval County. It is in Mid-Westside.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mid-Westside Jacksonville (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); J.P. Small Memorial Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Durkee Gardens (approx. ¼ mile away); Sugar Hill (approx. half a mile away); Brewster Hospital (approx. half a mile away); Jefferson Street Pool (approx. 0.6 miles away); Second Missionary Baptist Church of LaVilla (approx. ¾ mile away); Centennial Hall Edward Waters College (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, April 19, 2020
2. Durkeeville Marker
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, April 19, 2020
3. Photo Insert Top Left: J.H. Durkee
photo courtesy of the Durkeeville Historical Society
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, April 19, 2020
4. Photo Insert Top Right: Dr. Jay Durkee
photo courtesy of the Durkeeville Society
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, April 19, 2020
5. Photo Insert Bottom Center: Durkeeville ca. 1940
photo courtesy of the Durkeeville Society
Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 533 times since then and 92 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 29, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
