The Tragedies
Riverside Avondale, a place of architectural history, holds the stories of its past inhabitants through perfectly crafted homes and grand residences. Among the stories built with the aged bricks of the neighborhood once stood a grand mansion on Riverside Avenue owned by Lorenza Wilson. The home was a testament to the area’s rich and flowing history as it was just one of the many houses on “The Row,” a famous stretch of large, magnificent residences on one street in Riverside and Wilson’s is just one example of them. It was later repurposed as the Jacksonville Children’s Museum known today as the Jacksonville Museum of Science and History (MOSH).
As time went on, the fate of these architectural gems along “The Row” ultimately met their demise. In place of Wilson’s residence now stands an office complex. Another great home, owned by a person known in history, was that of Mayor J. E. T. Bowden. He was the mayor during the time of Jacksonville’s Great Fire in 1901. This intricately designed residence with its artistic features also faced the threat of commercial zoning just as Wilson’s home did. In place of this historical building now stands a one-story, standard American Red Cross building.
With the city continuously expanding, so too did the threat to its historical landmarks with many succumbing to the relentless pressures of progress.
Creation of RAP
Dr. Wayne Wood, a founder of the Riverside Avondale Preservation (RAP), was a leader in the early efforts to save these historical treasures. In 2023, Wood gave a presentation for RAP’s Historic Homeowner Series naming and showcasing numerous homes that were destroyed due to expansion and renovations of Riverside Avondale to make the area “more profitable.” If these homes and buildings had the benefit of RAP’s leadership sooner, they could have been saved and so would their stories.
RAP’s creation marked a turning point in Riverside Avondale’s history. A proposed road improvement, the takeover of Riverside Hospital, and many ill-intentioned buyers purchased property in the neighborhood and aimed to irrevocably destroy architecturally significant homes and community fabric. It was because of the neighbors and community Riverside Avondale that these propositions disappeared.
RAP’s Accomplishments
Since the beginning, RAP has played a key role in preserving homes, buildings, businesses, and historical narratives. Many structures have been restored, such as the home of John and Pat Gurley in 1976, a building sitting atop of the soil where a Civil War camp once was placed, and a post-World War I residence. These restorations involved various projects, like using 4,000 bricks from a beloved, destroyed historic home for the Gurleys’ house; converting grounds of a once Civil War camp into a totally restored Lora’s Teahouse; and having Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) students, RAP, and Virginia and Bertrand Hanes restore the post-World War I residence. These efforts highlight a community in dire need of preservation, but the story of restored homes doesn’t end here.
Becoming a Local Historic District
In 1997, Riverside Avondale took a bold step forward in its preservation efforts and became a Local Historic District despite initial skepticism. Amidst the backdrop of lost beauty and forgotten stories, over 80 percent of property owners were in full support of the establishment of the Riverside Avondale Historic District. Clarifying misconceptions, Wood emphasized that the Riverside Avondale Preservation doesn’t dictate property decisions; instead, RAP will, “advise you how to get through the process” regarding the Historic Preservation Commission, designated by the city.
Since then, RAP has helped restore hundreds of homes, including the “Little House” at Boone Park in 2001, the John Gorrie Condominiums in 2011, and Jeffrey Schaefer’s home in 2015. The “Little House,” used for making badges, memories, and ceremonies, was restored by Doris Keith, City Councilman Jim Overton, RAP, and Bonnie Grissett, a former Girl Scout. The John Gorrie Condominiums, formerly John Gorrie High School, were restored honoring the inventor of the first air conditioner and “boom” architecture. Jeffrey Schaefer’s home, rich in architectural details and history, was beautifully restored by Schaefer and Melody Bishop. These efforts preserve the history and beauty of Riverside Avondale.
What RAP is Doing Today
Over the years, Riverside Avondale residents have seen their community’s history dismantled, brick by brick, house by house. Yet, with each loss, a new sense of community was born. Today, RAP continues to unite the community and preserve its structures. They have recently supported Sun-Ray Cinema and local schools like Fishweir Elementary and West Riverside Elementary from closure and demolition. They also continue to answer questions about how to go about preserving homes. RAP hosts community events, as they did in the 1970s, such as the Home Tour, Garden Tour, Historic Homeowner Workshops, Luminaria, and this year’s new Music Fest. By guiding residents in preserving their homes and uniting the community, RAP ensures the legacy of Riverside Avondale prevails for generations to come.
For more information about the history of RAP and what has been done to preserve the community of Riverside Avondale, please visit riversideavondale.org. You can also purchase Jacksonville’s Architectural Heritage: Landmarks for the Future by Wayne W. Wood here or you can watch his Homeowner Workshop Series presentation, “The History of Riverside Avondale Preservation.” RAP continues to seek ways to elevate history through storytelling. The Riverside Avondale Cultural Trail, in its planning stages, will continue this effort. Stay Tuned!
Works Cited
Wood, Wayne W. Jacksonville’s Architectural Heritage: Landmarks for the Future. Jacksonville Historical Society, 2022
Wood, Wayne W. “The History of Riverside Avondale Preservation.” YouTube, Riverside Avondale Preservation RAP, 1 May 2024.
