Rotary Club of Jacksonville

Rotary Club of Jacksonville Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary, moved to Jacksonville in 1892 and took a job as a salesman in the marble and granite company owned by one George W. Clark.

Clark, a prominent local businessman who had many business interests in the community. During Harris's stay here, it is said he Harris attempted to organize a businessman's club. His effort was not successful. Harris returned north a year later to continue his education and pursue other interests. One of those interests was the founding of the first Rotary Club in Chicago 1n 1905. However, Harris

never abandoned his friendship with Clark. Several years later Harris influenced the Chicago Rotary club to elect as honorary members Clark and Jacksonville attorney David D. Doig. In the book Founder of Rotary credit is given to the friendship and influence of Clark on Harris. Without that friendship, Jacksonville may not have joined Rotary's family so early. With only 40 Rotary clubs in the nation, and only New Orleans in the south, in 1912 the Chicago club sent a prominent member to Jacksonville to assist in organizing a new club. On February 13, 1912, at the Windsor Hotel downtown at Hemming Park, 14 businessmen met and officially organized. Members gathered for lunch weekly at the Windsor Hotel and later at the Aragon Hotel. The club adopted the logo of the Chicago Rotary club as its membership symbol. By the end of the first year the 14 members had grown to 71. Now approaching its Centennial, the Rotary Club of Jacksonville has more than 325 members and fostered more than 20 other Rotary clubs in the region.

Guest speaker Alex Sifakis gave an informative update on Gateway Jax and numerous urban projects underway downtown.
06/01/2026

Guest speaker Alex Sifakis gave an informative update on Gateway Jax and numerous urban projects underway downtown.

Rotarians on the Camino Portuguese on the way to Santiago de Compostela!
05/27/2026

Rotarians on the Camino Portuguese on the way to Santiago de Compostela!

05/27/2026

Rotary Club of Jacksonville receives the Rotary Zones 33/34 Epic Award for excellence in Public Image and sharing the Rotary story.

This story could be a preview to our meeting next Monday.
05/26/2026

This story could be a preview to our meeting next Monday.

Gateway says the first residential building in Pearl Square could open by September as the total project cost closes in on $1 billion.

Rotarians in Jacksonville Int Airport on their way to major international adventures!
05/22/2026

Rotarians in Jacksonville Int Airport on their way to major international adventures!

Today! Our annual Military Appreciation LuncheonRotarian Captain Ryan Dexter received his Blue Badge. Nick Howland & De...
05/19/2026

Today! Our annual Military Appreciation Luncheon

Rotarian Captain Ryan Dexter received his Blue Badge.

Nick Howland & Derek Collins presented "The First Watch"

The Fire Watch is Florida’s fight to end Veteran su***de. They are building a life-saving network of community members and organizations trained to identify the warning signs of Veterans in crisis and to direct those Veterans to the help they need.

Watch Stander of Training
Rotary Club of Jacksonville becomes a
Veteran Safe Place

Rotarians represented at the Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center FinFest gala last night!
05/18/2026

Rotarians represented at the Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center FinFest gala last night!

Our resident Club historian — Howard Kelly — gave fellow Rotarians a quick and colorful review of the history of Florida...
05/16/2026

Our resident Club historian — Howard Kelly — gave fellow Rotarians a quick and colorful review of the history of Florida’s first Club at the “Homecoming” District Conference.

Our luncheon meeting this week!ANNUAL PROJECT & SCREENINGGRANT PRESENTATION to: Arc JacksonvilleHer SongSanctuary of N...
05/15/2026

Our luncheon meeting this week!

ANNUAL PROJECT & SCREENING
GRANT PRESENTATION to:

Arc Jacksonville
Her Song
Sanctuary of NE Florida
ALCO House
Carrie Pigeon Post
Happy Brew
Prisoners of Christ
Renaissance Jax
Jax Historical Society

At the District 6970 Conference today, Past-President Howard Dale provided an update on the Financial Literacy Program t...
05/15/2026

At the District 6970 Conference today, Past-President Howard Dale provided an update on the Financial Literacy Program to attendees.

Address

P. O. Box 37028
Jacksonville, FL
32236

Telephone

+19043536789

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