New book Secret Jacksonville explores Jax's hidden side

Secret Jacksonville, a new book by The Jaxson's Bill Delaney, uncovers the city's hidden histories and explores some of its most unique and unusual spots. Preorder your copy today.

The Jaxson is pleased to announce that our co-owner and editor Bill Delaney is publishing his first book. Secret Jacksonville: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure will be released by Reedy Press on September 15, 2021.

Courtesy of Reedy Press.

Secret Jacksonville is dedicated to telling the stories behind forgotten, mysterious and just plain interesting spots across Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Fernandina Beach, and the whole First Coast. For anyone willing to dig beneath the surface, there’s no shortage of incredible sights, hidden histories and unusual relics just waiting to be discovered all over the city.

In Secret Jacksonville you’ll learn where you can see the world’s largest Native American woodcarving, chart the roots of Southern rock, and eat curly fries at the barbecue joint that claims to have invented them. You’ll discover where you can visit a forgotten Florida waterfall with connections to Jacksonville’s founder and why there’s a tombstone in the middle of a neighborhood sidewalk. You’ll hear the stories behind local delicacies like Jacksonville-style garlic crabs, datil peppers, Mayport shrimp and camel rider sandwiches. And of course, you’ll learn what exactly is up with that orange roadside dinosaur so beloved by all Jaxsons (his name is Sexy Rexy, put some respect on it). From folklore to history and everything in between, explore a side of the Bold City you can only find by leaving the well-trodden path.

Photo by Erik Hamilton.

In addition to his work on The Jaxson, Bill is a co-owner and editor of Edible Northeast Florida Magazine and ModernCities.com. He has a deep passion for his hometown and a keen interest in underrepresented stories, and his work focuses on the history and culture of the First Coast. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from the University of North Florida.

You can preorder signed copies of Secret Jacksonville at thejaxsonmag.com/books. Books will ship after release on September 15, 2021. The book will also be available at most area bookstores and at ReedyPress.com.