113 years ago today, a fire spread through Downtown Jacksonville. The inferno consumed 146 city blocks, claiming seven lives and more than 2,000 buildings. It remains the most destructive burning of a Southern city in U.S. history. Soon after the dust settled and the smoke cleared, the city had to make a choice — to stand in the shadow of a tragedy, or to grow past it. And grow, it did. In the decade that followed the Great Fire of 1901, Jacksonville grew bigger, taller, and stronger than ever before. The city attracted new residents, new businesses and new opportunities for its residents. Today, take a moment to appreciate the fact that our beautiful Downtown — with its soaring skyscrapers, riverfront walkways, museums, shops, businesses and more — would be unimaginable to the people who stood amidst the smoldering embers of its former glory. Downtown is on fire. But this isnt the fire of our past; its the fire of our future. And we want you to join us in fanning the flame.
Posted on: Sat, 03 May 2014 14:00:02 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015