Jacksonville’s New City Hall in the final stages of construction.
According to the sign on the construction fence, “Another Great Stride in Jacksonville’s Progress.”
“This is the Jacksonville, Florida City Hall just before it was dedicated. 1960. Note how clear the sky was in those days.” LS
Tags: building, city hall, construction
My uncle, Sidney Lanier Hodge, was the construction superintendent who built this city hall. During the construction, there was a major foundation problem. As they were pounding in the pilings to support it, they found in the deep ground, many feet of sawdust which required a major change in the construction of the foundation. The sawdust there, it was discovered, was to store ice in the late 1800s. The ice was shipped to Jax by sailing and steamships from New England in the winter, unloaded and stored in that sawdust.
James, Great back story! Thanks for sharing it. Bob
I love this shot of city hall, with the Prudential Building in the distance. Without the trees, you can really see what a beauty this building was. I am going to miss it.