Jacksonville Mayor, Community Partners Launch National Register of Historic Places Nomination for LaVilla

Nonprofit, government and business leaders investing in the future of LaVilla

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 18, 2025 – Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, LaVilla Preservation and project partners have unveiled plans to seek and secure designation of LaVilla’s remaining historic resources to the National Register of Historic Places. Established in 1866, LaVilla is the oldest neighborhood in Jacksonville and made significant contributions to the city’s early history and national history. LaVilla influenced American music, arts, culture and commerce. The National Register nomination is expected to be completed winter 2025.

The LaVilla Preservation organization has been working with key stakeholders invested in the project including the City of Jacksonville, Downtown Investment Authority, Community First Credit Union, Corner Lot, Community Planning Collaborative, FaverGray, Gateway Jax, and the Brookins Brown Blodgett Corporation.

The scope of work for the LaVilla Historic Resources Survey Update and Application for National Register includes two phases. Phase I has focused on providing an updated Historic Resources Survey for the neighborhood, which is nearly complete. The second phase will focus on the development of a National Register nomination.

"We are proud of how far we’ve come on this historic designation as we work to revitalize LaVilla and preserve its history for generations to come,” said Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. “We will continue building a stronger LaVilla neighborhood as we formally recognize its important role in the history of our city and the country.”

LaVilla was a significant cultural center for blues, jazz, and ragtime. It was home to the first public blues performance held at the Colored Airdome in 1910. It was home to the largest train station south of Washington, D.C. It was considered the Southern Headquarters of what became known as the Chitlin’ Circuit. LaVilla also played a foundational role in what became known as the Great Migration.

There have been massive revitalization efforts already underway including the LaVilla Heritage Trail, The University of Florida graduate campus and Florida Semiconductor Institute, the Lift Ev'ry Voice & Sing Park, Johnson Commons Townhomes, the LaVilla Link (part of the Emerald Trail) and the Ritz Theatre and Museum Renovation and Improvement Project.

Future projects planned for the neighborhood include restoration of the core of LaVilla's historic commercial and entertainment epicenter near the intersection of Ashley and Broad Streets and a proposal to return passenger rail service to the Jacksonville Terminal (currently the Prime F. Osborn, III Convention Center).

For more information about LaVilla Preservation visit https://lavillauptown.org/.

Community First Credit Union of Florida, is a state-chartered credit union based in Jacksonville serving anyone who lives or works on the First Coast. Community First is one of the largest credit unions in Florida with $2.7 billion in assets and serving 171,000 members. Community First has 20 locations and more than 400 employees. A not-for-profit, Community First is a full-service financial institution offering banking, loans, mortgages and investments for consumers and businesses across the First Coast.