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 D-17  CHRISTOPHER BUILDING 420 EAST BAY STREET DATE: 1902 ARCHITECT & BUILDER: Unknown John G. Christopher came to
Jacksonville in 1877 and became one of the city's most noted
entrepreneurs. He started the first wholesale grocery firm in
Florida, and in 1884 built the fabulous Murray Hall Hotel at Pablo
Beach (see p. 330). During this time he also owned several lines
of steamships and schooners that traveled the St. Johns River and made
regular trips to New York. He built the first electric generating
plant in Florida. In 1896 he started a machinery and mill supply
business that became one of the largest in the Southeast and used this
two-story warehouse. This building has a handsome facade,
featuring three arched entryways highlighted by rusticated jointing of
the bricks. Other notable details include cast-stone trim,
quoins, and a metal cornice. The building now houses county and
city records, including the largest collection of pre-Fire Duval County
documents.
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Exceprts
of this work may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes
with credit to Jacksonville's Architectural Heritage by Wayne W. Wood. All Rights Reserved, Wayne W. Wood and Ó University Presses of Florida. |
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