The documentary “Moncrief Springs” delves into the history of Jacksonville’s Northside and the influence of tourism
A documentary film, Moncrief Springs, directed by a Jacksonville-based filmmaker, will be screened. It focuses on Northside’s rich history and the ways that politics and race affect the travel and tourism sector.
With its stunning beaches, oldest city in the country, and title as the “Most Magical Place on Earth,” Florida is one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the world.
Jacksonville recently came in at number 29 on the list of the 50 Best Places to Travel in 2024 published by online travel guide Travel Lemming. The Florida Theatre, Jacksonville Beach, and the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens were among the must-see locations in the city.
However, tucked away on Jacksonville’s Northside, it is a worthwhile tourism destination that is largely undiscovered.
The host of National Geographic’s “Black Travel Across America,” Marty Lewis, met local filmmaker Dana Maule during her visit to Jacksonville this summer while learning about the city’s rich Black heritage.
Maule, a Jacksonville resident who grew up on the Northside, is interested in examining the effects of tourism on urban areas and the preservation of Black history.
As the film’s host, Lewis consented to collaborate with Maule on the project.
“I want to give the Northside PR and instill in Jacksonville’s citizens a sense of accountability for the upkeep we provide to each neighborhood,” stated Maule.
She believes that the neighborhood will become more equitable as a result of the film’s visibility.
According to Maule, “The goal is to create equity and remind people that investing in Jacksonville also means investing in the Northside.”
Visit Jacksonville estimates that tourism benefits the River City’s economy by $3.9 billion. This includes the money paid for lodging, sights, dining establishments, travel agencies, and more. Visit Jacksonville manages the tourism services for the Tourist Development Council and is also one of the movie’s sponsors.
The video highlights historically notable locations in the Moncrief-Myrtle Corridor, such as the Brentwood Golf Course, which was racially integrated thanks to the efforts of the “Brentwood Four,” and Holley’s Barbecue, the purported birthplace of curly fries. The movie also highlights the natural splendor of the Ribault River and Moncrief Creek.
Eugene Moncrief, a French pawnbroker who fled to Florida during the French Revolution, is supposedly the inspiration behind the name Moncrief. The area has had a luxury resort, a horse racing track, and a spring that Black people used as a swimming hole during segregation at various points in history.
According to Maule, she hopes the documentary will serve as a conduit between the local government and the populace.
To further magnify them, Maule stated, “I would just want to hold more people accountable—all of us, those who live on the Northside, our council members, and our business leaders—hold them more accountable for making sure they circle the dollars back into the Northside.”
She expressed her desire to see a shift in the way the neighborhood is managed and in the way everyone collaborates to keep it safe.
The 30-minute movie will be shown at the Ritz Theatre & Museum on Thursday, June 27 at 5:00 p.m.