Ever wonder what stories made headlines in Jacksonville 50 years ago? It may have been a different era of history, culture and politics, but there are often parallels between the kind of stories that made the news in 1958 and today. As interesting as the similarities may be, so are the vast differences. The following are some of the top stories published in the Florida Times-Union 50 years ago this week. These items were compiled from the Jacksonville Public Library’s periodical archives.
• The first in a series of Duval County Democratic Party rallies was held in Hemming Park (now Hemming Plaza). Fifty-three candidates seeking 18 offices were given two-and-a-half minutes each at the podium. U.S. Sen. Spessard Holland, who was touring Jacksonville that week, was also at the rally, but did not address the crowd of about 300 people. Another major rally was scheduled for Sept. 6, the Saturday before the election on Sept. 9. It was noted the “traditional election eve rally has bowed to electronics and will take the form of a television program on which all of the candidates will be heard.”
• The Redwood Inn Company of Jacksonville announced the beginning of construction of a $500,000 motel 10 miles south of Downtown at the intersection of Philips Highway and the expressway. The motel would be named the “Golden Sands Motor Lodge” and the plans included 50 rooms and a 100-seat restaurant. A 20-foot by 50-foot swimming pool was also on the blueprints.
• A $200,000 damage suit against Sheriff Dale Carson, two deputies and their bonding company was dismissed by Circuit Judge Bayard B. Shields. The suit stemmed from an alleged mistreatment of a prisoner in the County jail. The suit was brought by Lewis Long, who contended he was beaten unconscious in the jail after he had been arrested Feb. 9 on a charge of drunk driving. In arguing for dismissal, attorneys contended the deputies were not acting on orders from the sheriff and had usurped power not given them by virtue of their office.
• It was announced the first of three new buildings at Jacksonville University, the Leah G. Swisher Science Building, would be dedicated Aug. 10. Two other buildings would also be open in time for the fall term, the 22-classroom University Council Building and the Wolfson Student Center.
• Plans for a $1 million shopping center on Beach Boulevard at Jacksonville Beach were unveiled by rental agents Buckman, Ulmer and Mitchell. The site was 12 acres and located between South 11th Street and Penman Road. Firms leasing space in the “Jax Beach Plaza” included Winn-Dixie, F.W. Woolworth, Pic’-N-Save Drug Store, the French Novelty Shop and McDuff Appliances.
• Mayor Haydon Burns announced restrictions on parking on Adams and Forsyth streets during rush hour would be removed. The regulations banned parking on the north side of Adams Street from Laura to Broad between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. and on the south side of Forsyth from Broad to Main between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. The ban was originally imposed at the request of the Jacksonville Coach Company to enable its buses to travel along without weaving in and out of traffic to reach passenger loading areas. Inspector Dewey Pate of the police department’s traffic division said police had done all they could to enforce the ban but, “It just seems like the public wouldn’t accept it to start with.”