FLVC logo

Homer H. Humphries, Jr. Papers, 1967-2008

 

Summary

Creator:
Humphries, Homer H., Jr., 1930-
Extent:
2.50 Linear Feet
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Homer H. Humphries, Jr. Papers, Thomas G. Carpenter Library, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains materials relating to Humphries' political activities, chiefly his tenure on the Jacksonville City Council from 1967-1971. The core of the collection are newspaper clippings pertaining to the Council's activities under the new consolidated government. Additional printed materials provide documentation on the site selection of the University of North Florida in 1969.

The Humphries Papers are of interest to scholars researching Jacksonville's consolidation period, as well as providing information on Humphries as a key political figure during the same time period. The collection, when used in conjunction with other sources such as the Jacksonville, Florida, Government Consolidation Collection and the Richard A. Martin Papers, provides insights and documentation on a pivotal era of Jacksonville history.

The collection has eight series:

Series 1 - Campaign Materials for Humphries' City Council Elections include correspondence, newspaper ads and articles, sample ballots and other general information about the elections and Humphries' candidacy.

Series 2 - City Council includes primarily newspaper articles about City Council activities including consolidation. There is also a Consolidation Day program, a copy of the Consolidation Resolution and a small amount of correspondence.

Series 3 - Florida Air National Guard (FANG) has a few articles and a certificate of appreciation regarding Humphries affiliation with the organization.

Series 4 - Florida Times Union includes some letters to the editor that Humphries authored.

Series 5 - is Humphries' obituary.

Series 6 - Publications includes a memoir authored by Humphries.

Series 7 - St. Luke's Hospital Association Executive Committee consists of a 1967 Annual Report that includes mention of Humphries as a Special Representative to the Executive Committee.

Series 8 - University of North Florida (UNF) Board of Trustees includes newspaper articles, a transcript of an interview, a copy of the Resolution to convey the property for the building of UNF, and a Founders Day program showing that Humphries received a UNF Presidential Medallion in 2008 for his service in creating the university.

Biographical / historical:

Homer Hudson Humphries, Jr., was born in Jacksonville, Florida on January 15, 1930, and attended local schools. After graduation from the Bolles School, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1958 from the University of Virginia, and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Stetson University in 1961. His early legal work included positions as the Assistant Duval County Solicitor (1963-1965), and Assistant State Attorney for Duval County (1965-1967). In June 1967, he was elected from Ward 8 to the Jacksonville City Council (prior to Consolidation), and under the new consolidated government, won election to the City Council from District 13. He became Council President on July 1, 1970, the third and the last President of consolidated government's first City Council. In 1971, he did not seek re-election to the Council, and returned to private law practice in Jacksonville.

Humphries was active in a number of civic, fraternal, professional, and religious organizations. A month after Humphries left the Council in 1971, Mayor Hans Tanzler appointed him to the first Downtown Development Authority (DDA), and he served the next eight years as DDA Chairman. In 1989, he was appointed to the Fourth Judicial Nominating Commission by Florida Governor Bob Martinez, and served a four-year term until 1992. Other civic activities included service affiliations with the Florida League of Cities, Florida Community College, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Jacksonville Children's Museum, and St. Luke's Hospital.

His involvement with the University of North Florida deserves special mention. In 1969, as a member of the Jacksonville City Council, he was a strong supporter of the present suburban location for the University versus an urban site as proposed by other Council members. He was appointed to the first University of North Florida Foundation Board of Trustees, and was elected Foundation Board President in 1976-77. For his extensive service to the University, he was awarded a UNF Presidential medallion in October 2008.

Humphries had a long and distinguished service in the U.S. military. In 1953, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, and entered the Cadet Aviation Program. He served in the U.S. and overseas as a squadron pilot until his release from active duty in 1958 to pursue his civilian education. Subsequently, he joined the Florida Air National Guard, serving in several capacities where he held leadership positions: Air Operations Officer for State Headquarters (1972); Lieutenant Colonel and Director of Operations (1976-77); Chief of Staff and promotion to Colonel (1980); and promotion to Brigadier General in 1984. He retired from the Guard in 1989, and was awarded the Legion of Merit medal for his 36 years of outstanding military service.

Acquisition information:
The collection was acquired through donation from Homer Humphries, 2007
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research by appointment only. Please contact lib-special@unf.edu to schedule an appointment.

Terms of access:

Materials in the collection may be subject to copyright and are to be used for private study, scholarship, or research in accordance with the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code). Use of reproductions of copyrighted works in excess of "fair use," may result in the user's liability for copyright infringement and be subject to the civil and criminal penalties of federal law. Visit the United States Copyright Office's website at http://www.copyright.gov/ for further information

Preferred citation:

Homer H. Humphries, Jr. Papers, Thomas G. Carpenter Library, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida.

Location of this collection:
Thomas G. Carpenter Library
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville
FL
32224
USA