Jacksonville Beach

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.