FLORIDA MOM MAGAZINE - January '09 - Vintage Jax Beach - Beaches Historical Society
 Ruby, Pablo Beach, or Jacksonville Beach – no matter what it has been called, this special place has been the hub of Beaches life since the early days of the 1880s. This was the beach for fun and festivities, of the railroad, and the beach that set the tone for the development of the other beaches. This is the Famous Beach.
In true Florida style, Jacksonville Beach began here with the dream of development: to turn this "oak scrub beach" into the tourist and entertainment hub of the Atlantic Coast. Beginning as a tent city for a few hardy souls, Jacksonville Beach has become a business, resort and residential community able to thrive on change and recognize adversity as an opportunity. 
In 1884, William and Eleanor Scull set up their tent home at the beach to help survey the area for the coming railroad. Eleanor opened the first general store and post office on the beach, thereby bestowing the name Ruby on the area. The little community grew. In 1899, Henry Flagler purchased the faltering Jacksonville & Atlantic Railroad, converting it to regular gauge and spearheading the development of the area. Some 20 years later, the boardwalk had become a major attraction and the Beaches population grew. Racing, aviation, dancing, eating and frolicking in the waves became hallmarks of Jacksonville Beach!
Today, the sense of community is very strong here as Jacksonville Beach experiences growing pains. The city is growing vertically with old landmarks being replaced by modern cement "sand castles" and an influx of new residents. The atmosphere is still warm and friendly as a small town would be. The Jacksonville Beach welcome is still strong after some 110 years. Old friend or new friend, we are glad you are here.
Founded in 1978 by a group of longtime local residents, the Beaches Area Historical Society (BAHS) is the only organization dedicated solely to preserving the history and heritage of Florida's First Coast beach communities including Mayport, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach and historic Palm Valley.
The Society opened first as a research facility and repository for historic photographs, but soon like-minded local citizens began bringing in their cherished family pieces, and a small museum was born. By 1996 the society had accepted, relocated, and restored the FEC Section Foreman's House, the Mayport Depot, an early Pablo Beach Post Office, and a 28-ton 1911 steam locomotive.
In 2001, initiated by strong public interest, the BAHS Board of Directors began a capital campaign to raise funds for the construction of a new museum and archives facility. On March 7, 2006, the Beaches Museum & History Center, operated by the Beaches Area Historical Society, opened its doors to residents, tourists, and school children.
Do your children love trains? Let them experience the time when the railroad ran through town. They will get to ring the bell on a real steam locomotive and learn about what life was like during the turn of the century as they tour Pablo Historical Park. They will sing a song about the railroad, read “The Little Engine That Could” and make a train whistle to take home. Your little engineers will want to make tracks to visit again and again!
Take a step back in time to learn about transportation and railroading in pioneer Florida. Bring the past to life as you visit the Florida East Coast Railroad Foreman’s House, the Mayport Depot and a 1911 steam locomotive at Pablo Historical Park. Experience what life was like living at the beach during the 1900s while working for the railroad. Learn what Henry Flagler’s railroad did for Jacksonville, its Beaches and all of Florida!
Experience the world of our Beaches pioneers for yourself at the Beaches Museum & History Center. Enjoy the interactive, informative, and intriguing look at the area's heritage through exhibits and firsthand accounts designed to bring the rich history of the Beaches communities to life.
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