LaVilla: Jacksonville’s Historic Heartbeat

Founded in 1866, LaVilla is one of Florida’s oldest urban Gullah Geechee communities. Once home to the largest passenger railroad terminal south of Washington, D.C., LaVilla quickly became a national hub for ragtime, jazz, and blues.

In 1900, LaVilla natives James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson wrote and composed “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” now celebrated as the Black National Anthem. Just a decade later, in 1910, LaVilla made history again as the site of the world’s first recorded public performance of blues singing.

The neighborhood also played an important role in the Great Migration, sending African Americans and their culture north and west. By the 1930s, LaVilla was part of the legendary Chitlin' Circuit, a network of venues that provided safe stages for Black musicians and entertainers during segregation. Clubs like the Two Spot and Lenape Bar were must-visit stops for performers traveling the circuit.

Today, LaVilla remains an influential symbol in Jacksonville’s story and is experiencing a period of revitalization. Its streets hold generations of history, creativity, and resilience. When visiting, be sure to explore these three main destinations that celebrate the neighborhood’s enduring legacy.

Eartha M.M. White Historical Museum

No visit to LaVilla is complete without a stop at the Eartha M.M. White Historical Museum, located inside the historic Clara White Mission on West Ashley Street. Originally built as the Bijou Theatre, the building became the home of the Clara White Mission in 1934 under the leadership of Eartha Mary Magdalene White, a powerhouse of compassion, entrepreneurship, and community service.

White founded hospitals, schools, businesses, and even Jacksonville’s first park for African Americans. She was Florida’s first Black female millionaire and an unwavering advocate for social progress.

The museum, located on the second floor of the Mission, preserves her extraordinary legacy through historic photos, artifacts, and stories that bring her life to vivid detail. With ties to figures like Booker T. Washington, A. Philip Randolph, Ray Charles, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Eartha M.M. White Historical Museum is more than a collection of history - it’s a testament to the power of purpose and perseverance.

Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park

Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park sits on sacred cultural ground, the very site where the Johnson brothers wrote and composed their historic anthem in 1900. Originally performed by Black students at the nearby Stanton Institute, the song quickly became a powerful declaration of hope, faith, and freedom. In 1919, the NAACP officially recognized it as the Black National Anthem, and it has since been performed by legends such as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, and Beyoncé.

Completed in 2024, the park honors the Johnson brothers through landscaped grounds and interpretive exhibits. Visitors can explore markers that share the story of the anthem, the Johnson family, and the impact of LaVilla as a center of Black culture and creativity.

Ritz Theatre & Museum

Located at Davis and State Streets, the Ritz Theatre & Museum stands on the site of the original 1929 Ritz Theater, which served as LaVilla’s beloved movie house until 1972. Reopened as a 32,000-square-foot cultural center, the modern Ritz features a 426-seat theater and a museum celebrating the history and achievements of African Americans in Northeast Florida and the greater African Diaspora.

Whether you’re exploring local history, catching a concert, or enjoying a stage play, the Ritz honors the vibrant artistic spirit that helped make LaVilla a cornerstone of Black culture in America.

LaVilla’s story is one of rhythm, resilience, and renewal. From the music that shaped a nation to the leaders who paved the way for progress, this neighborhood continues to influence Jacksonville’s cultural identity today. Beyond these three landmarks, LaVilla offers more to explore like murals, historic buildings, and new developments that honor its past while looking toward the future.

Author

Ennis Davis

Local Expert Guest