Take a Journey Through the History of Jacksonville Beach

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. - Aug. 30, 2013 - PRLog -- The newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series is Jacksonville Beach from local authors Maggie FitzRoy, Taryn Rodriguez-Boette and the Beaches Museum & History Park. The book boasts more than 200 vintage and modern images chronicling the growth and change of this beach community.

As a northeast Florida seaside resort, Jacksonville Beach began as the dream of some businessmen in nearby Jacksonville in the 1880s. From the beginning, it was a place people came to have fun. The earliest visitors arrived by ferry and train and even by plane, landing on the beach. The first narrow-gauge railroad ran from Jacksonville to what is now the foot of Beach Boulevard in the heart of town, originally named Ruby and then Pablo Beach.

In the 1920s, when Florida was experiencing a land boom, some local businessmen pushed to change the name to Jacksonville Beach to attract more tourists, investors and full-time residents. For many decades, Jacksonville Beach was known as “the world’s finest beach.” People came to enjoy its boardwalk and roller coasters, as well as the ability to drive on the beach, dance on the pier, swim, fish and later surf.

From the beginning, they took pictures of their grand adventures, which can be seen in the pages of this book. Images of America: Jacksonville Beach allows readers to gain a better understanding of Jacksonville Beach’s modern identity by glimpsing the scenes of the past.

Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or online.  

Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States.  Our mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America’s people and places.  Have we done a book on your town?  Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com/.