(Source of picture:  Florida State Archives.)

A teddy bear keeps company with five little girls at the Jacksonville Public Library in 1925.  The youngsters may've engrossed in their picture books, or maybe they were chatting about a silent flick they saw the evening before.  At that time, the biggest female star was "America's Sweetheart," little Mary Pickford, a 30-something-year-old who dressed similarly to these children.  Pickford was soon eclipsed, though, by Clara Bow, the sizzling "It Girl." 

The Free Public Library building still stands at 101 East Adams Street, four blocks northeast of the Jacksonville Landing.  A law office occupies the stately old structure, which dates from 1905. 

GO BACK