Nestled in the historic Springfield district of Jacksonville, Florida, the Dr. Horace Drew Mansion, located at 245 West 3rd Street, is a remarkable example of early 20th-century eclectic architecture. Built in 1909 by eminent physician Dr. Horace R. Drew, the grandson of Columbus Drew, a pioneer in Jacksonville, this residence is a stunning example of architecture with a view of Klutho Park.
In addition to being a visual feast, the home has special characteristics that heighten its appeal. It features a second-story “crying porch” in the back that was brilliantly built to help parents soothe a fussy newborn away from the quieter parts of the house, as well as a third-story porch that affords expansive panoramic views. The third-floor attic was formerly converted into a billiards room where Dr. Drew entertained famous visitors like actor Oliver Hardy during Jacksonville’s booming silent cinema period, paying homage to the home’s colorful social past.
In 1913, Oliver Hardy relocated to Jacksonville and balanced his early career in entertainment by working for the Lubin Manufacturing Company during the day and entertaining as a cabaret and vaudeville singer at night. Architects Leroy Sheftall and Earl Mark, who are widely recognized for creating the famed Moulton & Kyle Funeral Home on East Beaver Street, created the distinctive architecture of the Drew Mansion. This home captures an interesting aspect of Jacksonville’s cultural past in addition to a rich architectural legacy.
The H. & W.B. Drew Company, a well-known printing company with a location on West Bay Street in downtown Jacksonville, owes much of its success to Dr. Horace Drew. Under his direction, the business, which produced superior engraved office stationery, prospered until his passing in 1926. The Drew family continued this printing tradition into the 20th century, being known as Jacksonville’s “oldest family business.”
On a quiet Saturday afternoon in July 1970, some months after the terrifying night at the Drew Mansion, two kids discovered something horrible in the backyard of the mansion: a black plastic bag that held a human head. Terrified, they ran to two neighboring adolescents for help, who in turn contacted the police. It seemed that the head had been left uncovered by nighttime rain, stunning the gullible kids. This horrifying discovery swiftly made headlines throughout Florida, inciting shock and terror.
After some research, it was discovered that the head had been taken in November 1969 from a corpse at Duval Medical Center. An informant said that a hospital orderly had stolen the skull, periodically shown it to acquaintances, and ultimately buried it in the garden of the estate. The man’s skull, believed to be in his 50s, was preserved in an airtight bag to inhibit microbial growth.
