JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jacksonville was named after former President Andrew Jackson when he was a general. But did you know, he never even stepped foot in this city? We have a rich history. And now, there's a way for you to find out all about it.
Every Tuesday at 10 a.m., Gary Sass, president of AdLib Luxury Tours, puts on his general's jacket, become's our city's namesake (Andrew Jackson), and takes locals and visitors on a one-mile historical tour of downtown.
It's called Jacksonville's "Top to Bottom" Walking Tour, and it's from the rooftop of the Florida Theatre to the ancient vault in the underground tunnel of the old Atlantic National Bank.
Oustide of the giant vault Sass jokes, "Nobody close that door because we don't know the combination."
He covers everything from the hisory of our churches and libraries to the revitalization after the Great Fire of 1901 and even the modern influx of artists.
"He's very knowledgable about Indian, Civil War, everything. And the new of Jacksonville, too," said Portland resident Jana McBride.
McBride is in town to support her twin sister, who is undergoing treatment for cancer at the Proton Treatment Center. She went to the Visitor Center downtown in search of something to do. And that's how she found out about the tour.
"It's great. I wouldn't have known any of this stuff about Jacksonville."
Sass says there actually a lot of people who live here who also don't know that much about downtown.
"Unfortunately, people don't seem to know their city all that well. And everyone should know their city," Sass said. "It's such a beautiful city, and we have such unique stories to tell."
If you have an interest in taking the tour for yourself, or for entertaining guests or even clients, contact Gary Sass at AdLibTours.com.
