(Source of picture: Florida State Archives)

THE GREAT WHITE WAY -- Here's what you would've seen during the late 1940s if you looked west on Forsyth Street in the front of the Florida Theater.  The photo was taken after a rain storm.  According to the Florida State Archives, the picture dates from 1949.  The marquee & street sign, though, advertise the Walter Pidgeon movie "Holiday in Mexico," which was first released in 1946. 

During the mid-1900s, this stretch of Forsyth was called "The Great White Way."  Of course, this was taken from the nickname for Broadway in New York.  Forsyth Street lit up with several movie theaters, including the Florida Theater, the Palace, the Center, and the Imperial.  All are gone, except for the Florida.  It still draws movie & concert crowds downtown. 

Jacksonville also could boast of "The Great Black Way" -- CLICK HERE.

And CLICK HERE for another shot of the Great White Way.