The Historic Neighborhoods at Atlantic and University

Set on a narrow peninsula shaped by the Arlington River and Big and Little Pottsburg Creeks, the neighborhoods surrounding the intersection of Atlantic Boulevard and University Boulevard hold some of Jacksonville’s oldest continuously occupied homes. These waterways and crossroads have long defined the character of Oak Haven and Love Grove. The following five intersecting facts explore highlights their shared history.

The birthplace of the Woody’s Bar-B-Q chain

The original Woody’s Bar-B-Q restaurant at 1638 University Boulevard South.

Nearly fifty years ago, Woody and Yolanda Mills-Mawman set out to open a restaurant inspired by their love of barbecue and a collection of cherished homemade recipes. Drawing from the South’s time-honored barbecue shack tradition, they created a dining experience built on authenticity, flavor, and community. What began as a single restaurant in a former Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q location in 1980 at 1638 University Boulevard South has since grown to nine locations across Florida, with three more on the way, and one location in Pennsylvania.

While each Woody’s reflects the unique character of its hometown, every location shares the same commitment to quality. Guests are served the finest cuts of meat, the freshest ingredients, and a menu made entirely from Woody’s original recipes, from the secret homemade BBQ sauce to freshly prepared sides and slow-smoked meats.

Hope Haven Hospital was once here

Atlantic Boulevard’s Hope Haven Hospital. | Florida Times-Union

The intersection of Atlantic Boulevard and Bartram Road was once the long-time home of Hope Haven Hospital. This institution played a significant role in the history of pediatric care in the city and Northeast Florida. Founded in 1926, Hope Haven began as a small children’s hospital and clinic in North Jacksonville near the Trout River. As the organization grew and demand for pediatric services increased, Hope Haven relocated in the late 1930s to a purpose-built children’s hospital along Atlantic Boulevard, opening its doors in 1940.

During the mid-20th century, it served thousands of children and gained particular importance during public health crises such as the polio epidemics. At its peak, Hope Haven was widely recognized as one of the only general children’s hospitals serving the broad area between Atlanta and Miami, underscoring its importance to families across Northeast Florida.

By the late 20th century, changes in healthcare delivery led Hope Haven to transition away from inpatient hospital care. In 1980, the organization shifted its focus toward outpatient services, and in 1990 it sold the Atlantic Boulevard property and relocated to a modern facility on Beach Boulevard. The original hospital building was demolished in 1994, and the site was later redeveloped into the Magnolia Village Apartment development.

Love Grove Acres: A mid-century masterpiece

The neighborhood of Love Grove Acres is located along what was Love Grove Road (renamed University Boulevard) between Beach Boulevard and Atlantic Boulevard. Prior to World War II, the land around Love Grove Road was characterized by farms and open spaces. This stretch of Love Grove Road was renamed University Boulevard around 1960.

Love Grove Acres was developed in 1956 by the H.S. Brownett Company. Also known as Riviera Manor, the subdivision overlooking Pottsburg Creek was planned as a 150-unit contemporary-style home development featuring split level, on and off grade designed three bedroom and two bathroom residences.

Brownett and staff traveled into all sections of Florida and the southeast inspecting contemporary style homes to get new ideas for the maximum use of glass, combination rooms for outdoor living, and the latest architectural design in home building.

According to Brownett at the time of its development, “We have brought into reality our dream to provide the citizens of Duval County a southside subdivision with large lots where the beautiful native trees were not destroyed in building the streets and laying out the lots. The natural beauty of the land was conserved and the wide paved streets were engineered to protect children from the excessive speed of automobiles.”

Today, the neighborhood is known for its centralized Southside location, modern dwellings and mature natural landscape.