Mid-Westside in Jacksonville in Duval County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Mid-Westside Jacksonville
Historic African-American Sites
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, April 19, 2020
1. Mid-Westside Jacksonville Marker
By the 1930s the African-American community of Sugar Hill continued to expand north and west of West Eighth Street and spilled over into another region, Mid-Westside Jacksonville, defined by the following boundaries, I-95 (east), Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway (north), Old Kings Road (south) and Spires Street (west).
Substantial development occurred on Eighth Street, where the homes of leading black citizens were built during that period. These include the residences of A.M.E. Bishop Henry Y. Tookes located at 1011 West Eighth Street, the home of leading figures for black recreation, David and Florida Dwight, at 1050 Eighth Street, and the family of Alpha Hayes Moore, at 1369 West Eighth Street.
Erected by Durkeeville Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church series list.
Location. 30° 20.847′ N, 81° 40.203′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville, Florida, in Duval County. It is in Mid-Westside. Marker is at the intersection of 8th Street West and Francis Street, on the right when
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Durkeeville (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); J.P. Small Memorial Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Durkee Gardens (approx. 0.3 miles 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. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, April 19, 2020
2. Mid-Westside Jacksonville Marker
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, April 19, 2020
3. Photo Insert Bottom Left: Wilder Park
Florida Dwight supervised the first major city sponsored recreations facility for African Americans , Wilder Park.
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, April 19, 2020
4. Basketball Team
photo courtesy of the Emmett Reed Collection in the Durkeeville Historical Society.
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, April 19, 2020
5. African American Boy Scouts Troops
David Dwight was a pioneer in organizing African American Boy Scout troops in Jacksonville.
African American Scouts image is SP00813 from the Florida Memory collection
Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 302 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 30, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
