Collections

The collection consists of a letter dated January 25, 1869, from A. B. Temple to A. R. Hunter, sent from the St. James Hotel, Jacksonville, Florida. The correspondent writes in a highly descriptive manner, and he provides details concerning business, travel and leisure activities in Jacksonville and the surrounding region. He relates his impressions of Florida upon his arrival in Jacksonville, stating "it is the largest place in the state, with about 6,000 inhabitants," but compares its enterprise unfavorably to his previous country town of far fewer inhabitants. He recounts several boating, hunting and fishing trips along the St. Johns River, with frequent sightings of alligators on the river banks. He also mentions visits to orange groves in Palatka (75 miles) and to another grove 130 miles from Jacksonville, and provides interesting information about orange production, the price of oranges and the cost of acreage. He observes there are "almost all prices for land if they think a man wants to buy."

**Please Note: The University of North Florida Thomas G. Carpenter Special Collections and University Archives Afro-American Life Insurance Company Collection DOES NOT contain information on insurance policies or policyholders. Please contact the Florida Department of Financial Services through their website, https://www.myfloridacfo.com/, or call 1-877-693-5236 regarding any policy or insurance claim questions.**

As Director of the Jacksonville Expressway Authority during the pivotal transportation years of 1956-1972, Mr. Sollee was a major influence in the development of the Jacksonville, Florida road system in Duval County, Florida in the mid-twentieth century. The collection consists primarily of correspondence, subject files and reports, and newspaper clippings relating to transportation projects in Duval County. It includes extensive documentation on the development of Jacksonville's road system, circa 1950-1970, consisting chiefly of numerous, albeit irregular, primary reports / studies; beach erosion / bulkhead data; and personal notes on Jacksonville transportation issues from the perspective of a prime participant. Historical source documents include project files relating to plans for Metropolitan Park and the Duval County Courthouse, and correspondence / newspaper clippings relating to the University of North Florida site selection. Few personal items are included.

The collection consists of the personal and business correspondence of Bucky Family members and other correspondents from 1893-1915. Most of the letters are incoming correspondence from business associates, close family members, relatives and friends to Jacob (Jake) D. Bucky. Numerous letters from 1893-1895 are written on the "L. Bucki and Son" letterhead stationery. The business correspondence from 1893 to 1895 refers mainly to payments and shipments of materials. Also included are several telegrams and notes concerning Masonic Hall Lodge dues. Of particular interest are the numerous pieces of letterhead stationery providing documentation for late nineteenth century Jacksonville businesses. In 1903-04, several letters from the Jacksonville law firm of Bisbee and Bedell refer to J. D. Bucki's appearance as a witness in the U.S. Supreme Court case, Fidelity & Deposit Co. vs. L. Bucki and Son Lumber Co. Reference is also made by the law firm to the L. Bucki Company ceasing business early in 1898. Three letters written by Fred Bucky to his father on May 16, 22, and 30, 1901 are of special note for their glimpse of life in Jacksonville at the beginning of the twentieth century. The contents also provide a brief eyewitness account of the re-building of Jacksonville after the Great Fire on May 3, 1901. On May 22, he relates to his father: "...It is a sad sight to see the once busy bustling prosperous Jacksonville buried in ashes. One cannot imagine how bad it really is unless they could actually see it. A few well insured ones and those whose homes were spared are alright..." On May 30: "... I know what the poor boy has suffered... the fire excitement was too much for his nerves. The re-building of the city is very slow at present, material is hard to get... " All items are photocopies. Most letters are legible; however, some handwritten letters are difficult to read.

The collection consists primarily of the correspondence of Wesley "Lee" Bouslog, with 106 letters and envelopes dated from December 31, 1917 to May 21, 1918. The first letter describes his arrival at the Camp, and thereafter, the often lengthy letters detail Bouslog's life as a soldier, including descriptions of his daily meals and routines, and maintenance tasks. The letters provide a glimpse into camp life, with Bouslog relating that more than twenty states were represented in his Barracks, as well as several different nationalities, including Irish, Scottish, and Jewish. According to the letters, soldiers enjoyed entertainment, including films and concerts at the Camp theater, and also received educational benefits on-base such as schooling. Due to a lack of initial transportation for the early soldiers on base, there are few references to visits to the City of Jacksonville and vicinity. As a result, many activities took place in the YMCA building on Camp grounds. Letterhead on Bouslog's stationery includes: "With the Colors" YMCA; National War Work Council, Army and Navy, Young Men's Christian Associations; and Camp Joseph E. Johnston Jacksonville, Florida. Printed materials in the collection include postcards, a souvenir folder (depicting 22 views of the Camp), and oversize photographs of the Camp's soldiers. The collection provides printed and visual documentation of the Camp's activities and development from 1917 to 1918, which signal the beginning of a significant military presence in the Jacksonville region.

The collection contains correspondence, documents, a newspaper clipping, maps, photographs, and an artifact; all primarily related to World War I. The correspondence is military in nature. It consists of an intelligence report, a letter requesting appreciation and recognition for the 6th Division of the 1st Army, and a General Order in response to the request. The documents are Mr. Quinn's Certificate of Battle Service and his enlistment record that includes records documenting his honorable discharge his final compensation. The newspaper clipping acknowledges the experience of the 6th Division's service. The photographs include a portrait of Mr. Quinn, a group photo with Mr. Quinn pictured with fellow soldiers, and two aerial photographs showing trench systems located in northern France. The maps show different areas of northern France related to the Meuse-Argonne offensive that led up to the Armistice of November 11, 1918, known today as Veteran's Day.

Primarily incoming business correspondence, most of which are inquiries about land purchases in Florida and rental property management activities documenting business life in Jacksonville. Includes also: Florida Uniform Examination questions (1896); campaign literature and messages of Florida Governor Napoleon Bonaparte Broward; a nineteenth century Jacksonville newsletter, 'St. Andrew's messenger' (1891); and several letters referring to the Jacksonville fire of May 3, 1901

This collection contains awards, correspondence, memorabilia, printed materials, photographs, personal papers, and writings. Many printed materials and photographs relate to politics and political activism. There are numerous photographs and newspaper clippings, as well as Dr. Saffy's dissertation. The collection contains many memorabilia items, particularly from various political events, and there are two large portraits of Dr. Edna Louise Saffy.

The collection consists of printed materials, artifacts, and memorabilia relating to the Drew Family and their businesses in the Jacksonville area. Many of the items in this collection belonged to Horace Rainsford Drew, Jr. The collection is divided into two series: personal papers and business records.

The collection includes documents pertaining to the biographical research about Dr. James Hall, and the efforts of several Jacksonville residents to recognized Dr. Hall and to publicize the historical importance of his burial site. The collection includes biographical materials, correspondence, newspaper clippings, research notes, minutes of meetings, maps, periodicals, presentationsand speeches by Dr. G. Dekle Taylor, and photographs. The majority of the correspondence, presentations, and documents pertain to Dr. Taylor's role and activities from 1972 to 1984, principal among them a 1974 co-authored article about Hall in the Journal of the Florida Medical Association.