Jacksonville Public Library historic artifacts

Princess Jhané Stepherson
·2 min read

This week marked the 122nd anniversary of Jacksonville’s great fire of 1901.

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Back then, structures across the city were made of wood with wood shingled roofs -- So when a spark from a kitchen landed on a local factory it didn’t take long before entire sections of the city were in flames.

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The great fire destroyed so much of Jacksonville, but we’re learning some things survived.

Jacksonville Public Library leaders recently decided they wanted to purchase a safe to hold rare items. Turns out they already had one. Chris Boivin, the library’s Assistant Director of Community Relations and Marketing, says they were all stunned to find out what was inside.

“When we opened it up, we found things that were certainly very early in the 1900s from when this library was Carnegie Library but what’s really cool is we found things that were pre-fire,” Boivin said.

Boivin is talking about the great fire of 1901. On May 3rd, 122 years ago, much of Jacksonville went up in flames.

Read: Jacksonville University adds new exhibit to honor Women’s History Month

In an effort to give you a look into how much of downtown Jacksonville was destroyed as a result of the great fire of 1901 a diorama has been created. You can see it on the 4th floor of the main Jacksonville Public Library in downtown Jax.

The fire destroyed 146 blocks of downtown Jax. Left 10,000 people homeless and caused $15 million in property damage. But it didn’t damage these old pictures of story time, antique library cards and an old city directory. Other items found inside the old safe are still being processed.

The Great Jacksonville Fire of 1901 was the largest metropolitan fire in the American South.
The Great Jacksonville Fire of 1901 was the largest metropolitan fire in the American South.
Smoke could be seen as far south as Savannah, Georgia.
Smoke could be seen as far south as Savannah, Georgia.
Smoke could be seen as far south as Savannah, Georgia.
Smoke could be seen as far south as Savannah, Georgia.
The fire destroyed 2,300 buildings, 146 blocks and left 10,000+ residents homeless.
The fire destroyed 2,300 buildings, 146 blocks and left 10,000+ residents homeless.
Over 10,000 residents were left homeless due to the fire in 1901.
Over 10,000 residents were left homeless due to the fire in 1901.
Piles of drying moss from a mattress factory at Davis and Beaver Streets ignited the fire.
Piles of drying moss from a mattress factory at Davis and Beaver Streets ignited the fire.
According to Florida Memory website, the city of Jacksonville spent the next decade rebuilding its downtown.
According to Florida Memory website, the city of Jacksonville spent the next decade rebuilding its downtown.
The fire started at a mattress factory at Davis and Beaver streets.
The fire started at a mattress factory at Davis and Beaver streets.
A map of the burned out city blocks as a result of the fire.
A map of the burned out city blocks as a result of the fire.
A scaled model of the city blocks effected by the Great Jacksonville Fire of 1901.
A scaled model of the city blocks effected by the Great Jacksonville Fire of 1901.

Executive Director of Duval County’s tourist development council Carol Brock says she can’t wait to add these pieces of history to a tour guide.

“This is so exciting it just shows me that we have so many jewels here in Jacksonville and everyday were uncovering something different to share about our great city,” said Brock.

These items and more are with the library’s special collections department, which is working on a way to make these accessible to the public.

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If you are interested in taking a tour of Jacksonville and learning more about it’s history, then click here.

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