LaVilla, north Jacksonville fl  has a very intriguing past. It was originally an active transportation center in the late 1800s and swung to the beat of Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan, and Ray Charles. The busy railroad depot brought in thousands of travelers along Lee and Bay Streets. African American communities of houses and entertainment venues thrived in the early 1900s. Over the decades, vacant lots remain where several longtime structures existed. Today, LaVilla has been rejuvenated. The LaVilla School of the Arts draws in talented students from across the country. The Ritz Theater has been reconditioned to its original glory. Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church on Beaver Street opened a 5,000 capacity sanctuary in May 2002. Many businesses are expanding or developing offices in the area. LaVilla is 770 acres north and west of the central downtown business district. So far, the development has been commercial, but residences are planned to be built over the next 50 years. LaVilla has great potential to be a north Jacksonville fl residential community.