City leaders are considering designating the famous 'Whetstonian' building as a landmark

LaVILLA, Fla. – In the coming days, the city of Jacksonville Land Use and Zoning Committee will consider two ordinances that, if passed, would designate a pair of buildings in the LaVilla historic district as local landmarks, including the famous “Whetstonian” building owned by folk artist Walter Whetstone, and the Life insurance company building in Atlanta next door on North Jefferson Street.

Chances are, people driving through downtown have their curiosity piqued by the Whetstonian’s colorful, eclectic exterior. According to the proposed regulationThe building, sandwiched between State and Union Streets, was built in 1927, but found its place in Jacksonville history after Whetstone purchased it in 1998.

After that purchase, Whetstone added hundreds of artifacts, antiques and works of art. Each item was selectively displayed both inside and outside the building.

Dr. Wayne Wood, historian with the Jacksonville Historical Society, said Whetstone turned an otherwise ordinary building into something unique and magical.

“He was a people’s artist, he collected all this stuff,” said Dr. Wood. “And I say ‘stuff’, some of it was beautiful, some of it was just trash. But he arranged it in beautiful ways. He famously said, “If the Smithsonian could be named after Smithson, then we will name this building after me.” And he called it ‘the Whetstonian.’

The proposed ordinances say designating the buildings as landmarks means the Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission would have to approve any alterations, renovations or noticeable changes that affect the landmark or its location. Dr. Wood said the Atlanta Life Insurance Company was also a Whetstone masterpiece.

“His collection was so large that it wouldn’t fit in that two-story building, so he bought the building behind it and expanded that and much of the artwork,” said Dr. Wood. “He made mosaic tiles and things that are still easily visible when you drive along Jefferson Street.”

Even before Whetstone put his special spin on the project, the building had quite a history in the LaVilla neighborhood. After it was built, Dr. Wood that the Whetstonian building served as a grocery store for more than 50 years before being transformed into a nightclub.

“But that was long after LaVilla’s great blues and jazz era,” said Dr. Wood. “So it wasn’t one of the famous jazz clubs on Ashley Street, but it was a building in the heart of the LaVilla neighborhood that everyone knew.”

Dr. Wood said these unique stories and the unique treasures within the historic buildings make Jacksonville truly special.

“Jacksonville stories are made with people like Walter Whetstone, unique individuals who did something very unusual and unique and contributed to the culture and vibrancy of our community, especially in the LaVilla area,” said Dr. Wood. “So little buildings like this, which may not look great from the outside, are very important reminders of this important part of Jacksonville’s history.”

He continued, “They are the fabric that made LaVilla what it was.”

Dr. Wood added that the Whetstonian was also featured on an episode of the History Channel’s “American Pickers.” The ordinances will be on the agenda before the Land Use and Zoning Commission the day after Election Day.