Durkeeville

Just northwest of Downtown Jacksonville, Durkeeville is one of the city’s most historic and culturally vibrant African American neighborhoods.

Established shortly after the Civil War by Union soldier J. H. Durkee, the area’s beginnings were rooted in resilience and opportunity. When the railroad bypassed Durkee’s land, he divided it into parcels and sold them to African Americans eager to own property for the first time.

During the 1930s, when segregation laws barred African Americans from living in many parts of the city, Durkeeville became a thriving middle- and working-class community. Doctors, lawyers, educators, business owners, and laborers came together to create a neighborhood that offered stability, opportunity, and pride during a challenging era.

Durkeeville is home to the largest collection of surviving homes designed and built by Joseph Haygood Blodgett, a formerly enslaved man who became one of Florida’s first Black millionaires. The Durkee Gardens Historic District also highlights the craftsmanship of African American architects such as James Edwards Hutchins and Sanford Augustus Brookings.

Edward Waters University, Florida’s first HBCU, has been a cornerstone of education since 1866. Visitors can experience the energy of the Triple Threat Marching Band lighting up the Nathaniel Glover Community Field & Stadium during football season. Myrtle Avenue, the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare, stands as a living reminder of Jacksonville’s historic Black business districts. Long-standing family-owned establishments like Durkeeville & Company Country Store, Paschal Brothers Hardware & Lumber, Skinner’s Florist, and Standard Feed & Seed Store continue to anchor the community and preserve its authentic local spirit.

At the heart of Durkeeville sits James P. Small Park. Once known as Durkee Field, this storied stadium hosted Negro League games and baseball legends such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Hank Aaron. Today, a museum beneath the grandstand tells the powerful story of this history.

The Durkeeville Historical Society carries on the community’s mission to research, record, and preserve its artifacts and stories, offering educational programs, genealogical resources, and a deep connection to the rich cultural legacy of Northwest Jacksonville.

To learn more about the Durkeeville Neighborhood, visit The Durkeeville Historical Society.