Urban Core in Jacksonville in Duval County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Shotgun Homes
Southern Architecture
| — | Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park | — |
Photographed by Stephen Thomas White, July 3, 2026
1. Shotgun Homes Marker
Here at 138 Lee Street. James Weldon and J. Rosamond Johnson were born in a two-story frame house built by their father, James Johnson, in 1869. While their home was representative of the middle class homes that dominated LaVilla's landscape, it was demolished during the late 1920s.
“I was born June 17, 1871, in the old house on the corner; but I have no recollection of having lived in it. Before I could be aware of such a thing my father had built a new house near the middle of his lot. In this new house was formed my first consciousness of home. My childish idea of it was that it was a great mansion." — James Weldon Johnson
Unrelated to the Johnson family, this shotgun house, originally located in the 600 block of Lee Street, depicts the more common style of affordable housing in the South from the Civil War through the 1920s. They were designed as long and narrow, with rooms arranged in a row and connected by a long hallway. This design maximized the number of units on a lot.
It was relocated to this park to serve as a sculptural element and expression of
this page online
The name "shotgun house" was derived from one's ability to fire a shotgun from the front door through the back door without hitting any part of the house. Historic shotguns can still be found in Jacksonville neighborhoods like Eastside, New Town, and North Riverside.
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A 1924 aerial of LaVilla and the two story Johnson family residence. National Archives Catalog
This shotgun house in preparation to be relocated to the current site. Ennis Davis, AICP
A map showing the two-story Johnson family residence and rental properties at 138 Lee Street in 1913. University of Florida
Marker Legend
Yellow: Black National Anthem
Red: The Johnson Family
Light Blue: J. Rosamond Johnson
Dark Blue: James Weldon Johnson
Pink: Shotgun Homes Marker
Photographed by Stephen Thomas White, July 3, 2026
2. Shotgun Homes Marker
Yellow: Black National Anthem
Red: The Johnson Family
Light Blue: J. Rosamond Johnson
Dark Blue: James Weldon Johnson
Pink: Shotgun Homes
Erected 2026 by City of Jacksonville.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture. A significant historical date for this entry is June 17, 1871.
Location. 30° 19.8′ N, 81° 40.199′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville, Florida, in Duval County. It is in Urban Core. It is at the intersection of North Lee Street and Houston Street, on the left when traveling north on North Lee Street. The marker is located within Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 N Lee Street, Jacksonville FL 32204, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in First Coast. It is also in the American South and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: John Rosamond Johnson (a few steps from this marker); James Weldon Johnson (a few steps from this marker); J. Rosamond Johnson (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named James Weldon Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); The Black National Anthem: "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Hatch (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Brewster Hospital (about 700 feet away); The Line of Intrenchments (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.
Also see . . .
1. What is the origin of the term 'shotgun house'?. (Submitted on October 2, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia.)
2. Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park. (Submitted on October 2, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia.)
3. Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park. (Submitted on October 2, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 2, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
