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 headlines from the Florida-Times Union printed 50 years ago this week. These items were compiled from the Jacksonville Public Library’s periodical archives.
• Airports Commissioner Louis Ritter was the guest speaker at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Roosevelt Hotel where he delivered an analysis of Imeson Airport and its future. Ritter pointed out the only real estate suitable for a new airport would be agricultural land in the northwest area of the county, which eventually became the location for Jacksonville international Airport.
• Duval County Juvenile Court Judge Marion W. Gooding spoke at the noonday pre-Easter devotional at Snyder Memorial Methodist Church. He said one of the major causes of juvenile misbehavior “is lack of spiritual training in the home.”
• District Court of Appeals Judge Donald K. Carroll received the Ted Arnold Award, which was given each year to a Jaycee more than 45 years of age who had made important contributions to the community.
• The Jacksonville University baseball team was preparing to play three exhibition games at Alexander Brest Field vs. the U.S. Marines team from Parris Island, S.C. The Marines were on a Florida tour and were coming to Jacksonville following a 2-0 series rout of the University of Florida baseball team.
• Cesery Builders applied to the Duval County Commission for a permit to build apartments on seven acres near Merrill and Justina roads in Arlington.
• Rev. Fred Roth, pastor of Springfield Baptist Church, led a ground breaking ceremony for a new three-story sanctuary and education building at the corner of First and Liberty streets.
• Mrs. Alfred I. duPont officiated at the laying of the cornerstone for the garden Club of Jacksonville’s new garden Center building on Riverside Avenue.
• The Jacksonville Children’s Museum in Riverside celebrated its 10th anniversary with live animals from the zoo, including a chimpanzee dressed in party clothes and a live snake show. Museum Director Miss Madeline B. Sawyer said all of the city’s children were invited, but should come to the party in shifts to avoid overcrowding. Children from the Northside were asked to attend from 1-2 p.m., Westsiders from 2-3 p.m. and Southside youngsters from 3-4 p.m.
• The newly enlarged Paxon Shopping Center on Beaver Street celebrated its grand opening. Raffle prizes included a 15-foot outboard motor boat and trailer, three 21-inch console television sets and four bicycles. It was also noted the new retail center was “air conditioned throughout.”
• Winn-Dixie was celebrating its 39th anniversary with a big sale. Customers could get a pound of Maxwell House coffee for 69 cents or a six-pack of Fischer beer for 89 cents.