Durkeeville & Northside

Just northwest of Downtown Jacksonville, Durkeeville & Northside is one of the city’s most historic and culturally vibrant Black 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 it to Blacks who were eager to own property for the first time.

Eat & Drink

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.

Eat & Drink

Durkeeville & Northside offers a taste of Jacksonville’s rich cultural heritage, with locally owned restaurants serving everything from Southern comfort food to barbecue and more. Wherever you dine, you will be greeted with hometown hospitality.

Blue Boy Sandwich Shop - Opened in 1973, Blue Boy Sandwich Shop is a longtime favorite, serving up larger-than-life sandwiches piled high with flavor on freshly made homemade bread.

Durkeeville & Co. - A local favorite known for their cheesesteaks and other comfort foods.

Holley's BBQ - Known for its slow-smoked meats, rich house-made sauces, and classic Southern sides that keep locals coming back.