Vintage Jacksonville

This is a photo from a group of Loyd Sandgren’s photographs that Olympic Weight Lifter Joe Dube‘ shared with me from his personal collection.  He said that teams from around the state used to travel and compete in the 1960’s and this was one of the lifters from The University of Florida.  He’s got the look with the cat eye glasses, Chuck Taylor All Stars and white socks.

Tags: Chuck Taylor, historic photograph, Joe Dube, men, strong man, UF, University of Florida, vintage photography, weight lifting

A store display of tea and spices at an A&P grocery store. The chain hired Loyd Sandgren to photograph showcase examples and prints of the displays would be sent to other stores in the chain to use as a model display.  It looks like many of the old brands remain, only the prices have changed.

Tags: A&P, advertising, business, display, grocery, historic photograph, retail, spice, store, vintage photography

“About 1944, we had lots of Russian Sailors picking up the American give away boats.  They loved to go out to sea and drop depth-charges.  Often I would go out with them and take pictures.  In this case I would take the picture and give each sailor a print.  They thought that was so great that they would have a party for me on the boat.  They gave me Vodka that was so strong that when spilled it would take the varnish off the tables. They also gave me caviar and I don’t like that any better than the drinks. One of the interesting things about the sailors was, they always wanted to wrestle with you?  Anyway it was quite an experience.”  LS

This was photographed by Loyd Sandgren at what was then known as U.S. Naval Frontier Base, Mayport, Florida.

Tags: 008223, historic photograph, Mayport, navy, Russia, Russian Sailors, ships, US Naval Frontier Base, vintage photography, WW II

“This picture was taken from Forsyth & Main Streets.  Note the Krystal hamburger place, the Woolworth’s.  See how many people were on the streets then.  1948.”  LS

While looking for another image I came across this great street view of Forsyth Street looking West from Main Street that showed downtown with all it’s theaters, stores and people on the street.  You can see the St. Johns Theatre advertising for the movie My Wild Irish Rose and the Arcade Theatre, shoe stores and tailor shops.  There is the F.W. Woolworth Co. and The Krystal hamburger restaurant on the corner.  The original print is in rough condition but it has survived longer than the businesses and many of the buildings captured in it have.

Tags: Arcade Theatre, downtown, Forsyth Street, historic photograph, Krystal, Main Street, St. Johns Theatre, vintage photography, Woolworth

I have always loved this image from the Loyd Sandgren collection as a documentary image despite not having any information about the specifics of the shot.  Great parade float from the 1950’s, military missiles during the cold war with Russia, beautiful girl in her Southern Bell formal gown passing spectators in a house dating from the early 1900’s.  This could well have been the Gator Bowl parade since everyone has on their jackets and the trees are bare.  So much visual and social information.

Tags: African-American, float, historic photograph, house, missile, parade, U.S. Army, vintage photography, women

“This is the way the Woolworth Store looked like just before it opened (note the sign in the windows).  The J.C. Penny store had not moved in.  This was on the corner of Monroe and Hogan Streets.  This was 1954.”  LS

The window signs advertise for the Grand Opening, Wednesday 9 O’Clock, March 23rd.  The building was completed in 1955 and Woolworth’s and Penney’s operated until the mid 1980’s when they both closed at this location.  In the 30 years in between they functioned as part of the core downtown shopping experience.  The Woolworth store was also the site of Civil Rights sit-in’s in the 1960’s.

The Federal Courthouse now occupies this block of downtown Jacksonville.

Tags: building, business, downtown, Federal Courthouse, historic photograph, hogan street, J.C. Penney, Monroe Street, shopping, vintage photography, Woolworth

The is a fun little diptych print of a late 50’s early 60’s vintage early modern room interior.  Don’t know if this was a furniture showroom display or a hotel room but I love the look.  I can’t imagine what it would cost to pull all of these elements together today but you have everything  from the cool print drapes to Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso reproduction artwork on the wall.  I think we had those wire fish in my house when I was growing up.

Thanks to Devin Faulkner for adding a little more insight about the furniture.  Both the bent wood and the fiberglass chairs were designed by Eames and made by Herman Miller.  The designs dated back to the late 1940’s but did not go into production until the late 1950’s.

Tags: bed, chair, Eames, furniture, Herman Miller, historic photograph, interior, modern, vintage photography

“We had other things going on also, here is Horrace Tompkins showing off the shrimp nets that he would make in his spare time.  He was good and made money.”  LS

Some of the most interesting photos in the Loyd Sandgren collection are those that show the little moments and behind the scenes shots that he most likely shot for himself or as favors for his friends.  This one was shot at Naval Air Station Jacksonville during his time in the Navy.  The photo is dated 8/6/45.

Tags: historic photograph, jeep, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, navy, sailor, shrimp net, vintage photography

Shopping was sure simpler in a store like this which appears to be a Firestone branded home and hardware store.  They had Firestone bicycles, outboard motors, paint and auto supplies.  They also sold sporting goods, books (Bibles for $1.00 and Fiction, Biography and Self Help for 49 cents) and luggage.  There are even dolls lined up on a table through the doorway.  Anyone remember where this was?

Tags: auto supplies, bicycle, business, Firestone, hardware, historic photograph, outboard motors, sporting goods, store, vintage photography

“Jacksonville Beach, Florida as it looked in 1950.  The old pier was out from 3rd. Ave. North.  Note the amusements on the far left.  Picture was taken from the Life Saving Tower, the same one that is there today.  Lots of cars on the beach.”  LS

I’m going to go out on a limb and say this was shot in the 1960’s judging from some of the cars in the photo.

Tags: 007150, Bath House, beach, cars, historic photograph, jacksonville beach, Pier, vintage photography