History and culture
Jacksonville's silent film years came before Hollywood
Jacksonville drew silent-film studios in the early 1900s, and Norman Studios keeps a rare piece of that history visible.
Jacksonville had a movie rush before Florida became better known for beaches and TV soundstages.
In the early 1900s, warm weather, rail access, lower costs, and varied streets pulled silent-film crews to the city. Jacksonville’s first silent film studio opened in 1908, and more than 30 studios followed over the next decade. That history is behind the city’s Winter Film Capital of the World nickname.
The surviving piece to look for is Norman Studios in Old Arlington. The complex began as Eagle Film City in 1916 and later became tied to Richard E. Norman, whose films gave Black characters stronger, more positive roles than much of the film world offered then.
Check current Norman Studios open hours before visiting. The schedule can be limited, but the story is rich. For a while, Jacksonville was not just a place to film. It was one of the places helping decide what American movies could become.
Where to see it
Norman Studios in Old Arlington and Jacksonville film-history stops. Check current open hours, tours, and event details before visiting.
Official sources
Last checked against these sources: July 1, 2026.