This week, Hannah and Barbi welcome back historian, author, attorney, and master storyteller Scott Grant for another fascinating dive into the history of Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. Scott first joined the podcast in Episode 57 to share the remarkable story of the German U-boat attack off Jacksonville Beach during World War II, and this time he returns with even more powerful stories from our region’s past.
The conversation centers on the history of Axe Handle Saturday, one of the most significant and difficult moments in Jacksonville’s Civil Rights history. Scott walks through the events leading up to that day, the impact it had on the city, and the broader context of the Civil Rights movement locally.
Along the way, they explore the story of Schoolhouse Number Four, discuss the legacy of Gene Ribault, and travel even further back in time to figures like Pedro Menéndez and Dominique de Gourgues, whose actions helped shape the early history of Florida.
It’s a captivating episode filled with powerful history, surprising connections, and the kind of storytelling that brings the past vividly to life.