Tag Archives: Haydon Burns Library

When Jax Banned Mickey Spillane

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When Jax banned Mickey Spillane, the tough-talking crime novelist and his “blonde bombshell” wife Sherri came to town. Activist Warren Folks wanted all funding for the Jacksonville Public Library system halted until every book was screened. Spillane said if Folks thought this book was bad, “Wait until he sees the next one!”

The Last Days of Taylor Hardwick’s George Varn House

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Within the month, one of the earliest houses designed by Taylor Hardwick, one of Florida’s greatest architects, will be demolished. It’s a stipulation of the original owner’s will. Because who said you can’t take it with you when you die? 

Story #509: Riverdale Inn / Brazile House / Kelly House

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Walter Brazile founded B & B Exterminating Co. in his rambling old boarding house. He nurtured the business and nurtured people, including Rufus King, Jr., brother of Virginia, author of that 8,448-page book about Jax. William Kelly, turpentine magnate, built the house 115 years ago. Albert O’Neall, though a Quaker, took a job here building bombing ranges. Now the former HQ of B & B has been restored as a bed-and-breakfast. One of my favorite writers stayed here just last week.