INTO THE UPPER CHAMBERS

(Source of image: Florida State Archives)

Barging up these stairs in 1908 went the famous lady with the hatchet, saloon buster Carry Nation.  This grand staircase was situated near the main entrance of the Court, Jacksonville's finest bordello.  Also ascending the steps -- on a regular basis -- were some of the local political elite.  They sought to recharge their batteries after governmental meetings & functions.  The Court's clientele even included the state prosecutor.  And one night during the early 1900s, a mayor of Jacksonville, a very tall man, led a rambunctious group of partiers "down the line" in La Villa.  The politician clutched a good-time girl under each of his arms. 

Speaking of mayors, the election of 1914 stands out in the history of Jacksonville's prostitution.  It featured J. E. T. Bowden, a former mayor of Jax and of La Villa, before it merged with the River City in 1887.  Mr. Bowden challenged incumbent Van Swearingen for the top post.  Mayor Swearingen had actually closed the red-light district not long before, but Mr. Bowden took issue with this.  The challenger's campaign climax came when he addressed voters in Hemming Park on the election's eve.  Mr. Bowden had local prostitutes circle the park on horseback while the delighted crowd cheered them on.  The red-light ladies wore red tights and carried red lanterns.  Mr. Bowden won easily the next day, and he reversed his predecessor's actions regarding local bordellos.

It's interesting to note that, in earlier years, Mr. Bowden had fought against brothels as La Villa's mayor.  He had flip-flopped on his stance, but the voters also seemed somewhat contradictory in their attitude.  When Mr. Bowden ran for re-election in 1917, they kicked him out.  A major issue was the mayor's support for the local silent film industry.  Among other things, moviemakers had angered townsfolk with their noisy filming on Sundays.  And so, prostitutes, yes, but producers, no.  The mind of the elector can sometimes prove a mystery.

  THANK YOU...  

       FOR VISITING THE JACKSONVILLE STORY,

        YOUR TIME MACHINE TO THE PAST