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 architectural works of H.S. Brownett

A 1950s newspaper advertisement for the H.S. Brownett Company. | Florida Times-Union

The H.S. Brownett Company was founded by Harry S. “Bud” Brownett (1897-1966). Brownett was born on March 13, 1897 in Croydon, England. He graduated from the Engineering Technology School of London and came to Jacksonville in 1922. He soon became the president of H.S. Brownett Company and H.S. Brownett Realty.

A popular general building contractor of mid-20th century residential and commercial land developments, Brownett’s firm built a number of schools, churches and buildings throughout Jacksonville and around the state. Among the structures his firm built are the Jacksonville Beach Lifesaving Station, Robert E. Lee High School, Kirby Smith Junior High School, Jackson High School, the University of Florida library, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, and the Grace Lutheran Church.

Home to Jacksonville’s oldest continuously occupied residence

1300 Oak Haven Road was built between 1837 and 1848 for Francis Richard III.

At the age of 20 in August 1766, Joseph Louis Francois of Florence, Italy stepped on a young lady’s dress and was challenged to a duel by her companion. After winning the duel, he fled the country to avoid being prosecuted for murder. Settling in Saint Domingue, he owned a plantation cultivating coffee and sugar and became referred to as Sir Joseph Louis Francois dit Richard.

On the eve of the Haitian Revolution, he departed Saint Domingue and landed in Charleston, South Carolina in August 1791. Anglicized to Francis Richard I, with 22 enslaved and in need of land to cultivate, Richard headed to Spanish East Florida, signing an oath of allegiance to the king of Spain in order to apply for a 400-acre land grant. By 1819, along with his two oldest sons, Richard had acquired over 22,000 acres throughout present day Duval, St. Johns and Putnam counties. Another son owned land in Alachua County and Glynn and Camden counties in Georgia.

Oldest son, Francis Richard II’s 16,000-acre mill grant stretched from the mouth of the Arlington River to present day Baymeadows Road by 1817. A water-powered sawmill was built in the vicinity of Strawberry Creek and Red Bay Branch. A cotton gin and grist mill for the grinding of corn was also built. A prominent planter, Francis Richard II would father several children with enslaved women. His namesake Francis Richard III constructed this house along the Arlington River between 1837 and 1848. Located at 1300 Oak Haven Road, it is the oldest continuously occupied house in Jacksonville.

Editorial by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com