Vintage Jacksonville

Constructed between 1972 and 1974 the Independent Square building stood as the tallest building in the state of Florida until 1981 and continues to be the dominant building of Jacksonville’s skyline.  The 37 floor, 535 feet tall building was first home to the Jacksonville based Independent Life and Accident Insurance Company and was know as the Independent Life Building.  Later it was named the AccuStaff Building then the Modus Building and it is now the Wells Fargo Center.

Tags: construction, downtown, Independent Life, Independent Square, Modus, skyline, Wells Fargo Center

The first Vintage Jacksonville contest is over and the winners have been chosen.  A list of everyone who Liked Vintage Jacksonville on Facebook was made and that list was put into a list randomizer which scrambled the list of names and gave each one a unique number.  After that an online random number generator was used to pick the winning numbers.

First Prize goes to Larry Taylor who wins an 11 x 14 inch print of his choice of one of the images posted on Vintage Jacksonville and a nifty retro print Vintage Jacksonville logo ball cap.  Way to go Larry!

Blue Lotus, Dana Jill Dedycker, Bill Smart and Adam Hartmann are the runner up winners and each get an above mentioned Vintage Jacksonville ball cap.

Thanks to everyone who participated!  The winners need to contact me at bob@vintagejacksonville.net so that I can get you your prizes.

Tags: contest

“The picture was taken for the Borum Boat Co. at The Lobster House.  Notice the fins on the Boat.  It was 1959.  This as you can see was taken at night.” LS

The Lobster House restaurant came into being in 1944 on the Southbank of the St. Johns River in a building that used to be a boat repair shop.  It’s pop culture claim to fame is that several scenes for Revenge Of The Creature, the 3-D sequel to The Creature From The Black Lagoon were filmed there in the mid 1950’s with the Gillman climbing from the St. Johns River and snatched it’s victim from the restaurant.  The structure burned in the early 1960’s.  The current River City Brewing Company is located close to The Lobster House’s former site at the base of the Acosta Bridge.

Trivia Alert!  Clint Eastwood landed his first uncredited movie role as a lab technician in Revenge Of The Creature.

Tags: Borum Boat, creature from the black lagoon, Lobster House, night, restaurant, St. Johns River

The Gulf Life Insurance building when it was located on Church Street behind the St. James Building.  By looking at the amazing cars on the street I would date this in the late 1940’s.  This building is now part of the First Baptist church complex.  In 1966 Gulf Life built the Gulf Life Tower, now known as Riverplace, on the South bank of the St. Johns River. In 1991 the Gulf Life Insurance Company was merged into American General Life of Houston.

Tags: cars, Church Street, First Baptist, Gulf Life Insurance

Nothing like having a pouncing tiger over your head to keep a sales meeting moving along.  The poster on the easel is for GE Televisions. There is no information with the original print but I am thinking this might be a stage at Andrew Jackson High School.

Tags: business, General Electric, meeting, men, television, Tiger

An example of Loyd Sandgren’s commercial work.  He shot a variety of detail and product shots for Brundage Motors and later Brumos Porsche in the early 1960’s.  I wonder what a collector would pay for one of these in this condition?

Tags: brundage, chrome, porsche, wheel

This would have been from 1946, the year Loyd Sandgren worked out of Tallahassee shooting photos around the state of Florida promoting the state for tourism and commerce.  Nothing says summer like a kid with watermelon.

Tags: boy, Florida, watermelon

Fans of Vintage Jacksonville now have the chance to win FABULOUS PRIZES (ok, something nice!) simply by visiting Vintage Jacksonville on Facebook and clicking on the Like button.  Do that and you are entered for a chance to win a free 11X14 inch museum quality reproduction print of the image of your choice from the Loyd Sandgren photographs posted on Vintage Jacksonville.

As a bonus the print winner also gets a ball cap with the retro Vintage Jacksonville logo embroidered on the front.  In addition four other lucky winners will get the previously mentioned ball cap.

If you already like Vintage Jacksonville on Facebook you are already entered!  If you don’t do Facebook (and I know there are still a few holdouts) and want a shot at the prizes you can contact me at bob@vintagejacksonville.net and I will add your name to the random drawing.

You may enter the drawing through July 4, 2011 and the winners will be posted on Vintage Jacksonville and Facebook by the end of that week.  Winners will be contacted after the drawing for addresses so that I can send you your prizes.  Spread the word and good luck!

Tags: contest

Looking North across the Main Street Bridge toward downtown Jacksonville.  Early 1950’s.

Tags: Jacksonville, main street bridge, skyline, traffic

Bodybuilder Mickey Lewis showing his form.  This is one of a group of bodybuilders Loyd Sandgren photographed on Jacksonville’s beaches in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.

Tags: beach, bodybuilder, jacksonville beach, Mickey Lewis, swim suit