May 1924: Pablo Creek Civic Club was organized by a small group of local women. At that time only one road connected south Jacksonville with the Beaches area, a two-lane Atlantic Boulevard. The roadway along the North-South beach was hard-packed sand, and was only available at low tide.

Priorities of the club members were establishing a serviceable road to connect Pablo Beach with Atlantic Boulevard, obtaining a Justice of the Peace, improving community moral conditions for its youth, providing aid for travelers, promoting mosquito control, erecting more streetlights, funding city beautification projects, promoting city parks and public areas for entertainment and providing public drinking fountains. The group built and maintained a Comfort Station on city property for public use.

December 12, 1935: The Pablo Civic League changed its name to The Woman’s Club of Jacksonville Beach and bought a clubhouse! The first meeting in the clubhouse was held January 21, 1938: The club was admitted to the State and General Federation of Woman’s Clubs and officially became Jacksonville Beaches Woman’s Club. Priorities of the club included the understanding of the dangers of marijuana cigarettes, family values and public education.

1942: The country was at war. Members of the club were involved in support of the war effort through both civil and military service. Club women were busy with victory gardens, ration books, quilting and knitting supplies all while coastal blackouts were occurring along the Atlantic coast.

The 1950’s: Members continued to support community life, which included public schools, churches, public health issues and environmental concerns. Hundreds of volunteer hours and dollars were raised through designated efforts which helped to finance special projects such as the Fletcher Junior and Senior High School athletic, academic, arts and music programs. Scholarships were also awarded.

The 1960’s: in 1964, Hurricane Dora battered the Beaches coast. The group sold their first clubhouse for $1,500 and combined with other funds and financing, built their second clubhouse at 1315 Second Avenue North in Jacksonville Beach. The property was given to the club by the city and the membership had grown to 150 women. The building was dedicated on June 23, 1964, by Congressman Charles Bennett. Many area dignitaries and a huge crowd attended the ceremony.

In 1983 the mortgage was satisfied on the clubhouse and there was a big celebration! In 1968, the city of Jacksonville consolidated Duval County into one governing entity, except for the cities of Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach and the little town of Baldwin, which opted to retain their own autonomy, and all became Urban Service Districts of Jacksonville.

In the following decades, the club continued to contribute financial support to many civic and philanthropic endeavors through fundraising projects. The annual antique show, card and fashion shows, bake sales, Amelia Island tennis tournaments, rummage sales and charity all helped the club make significant contributions to community organizations. In 1983 the mortgage was satisfied on the clubhouse and there was a big celebration! In 2007, due to growing concerns of the cost, effort and efficiency of maintaining ownership of the property, members voted to sell the clubhouse. “Moving on, but still together and better than ever” became the club motto.

The new decade, beginning in 2010, saw the club winning 17 District IV awards, 10 State awards and Best Overall District IV Club award. $49,466.45 was contributed to worthwhile projects. Pat Zazzarino, member, former club President, and past District IV Director, was elected President of the Greater Florida Woman’s Clubs 2012-2014. This club has evolved since its beginning in 1924...more than 97 years of adaption. The objections still are to care for others, to promote concern for our community, to promote friendship among members, to engage in philanthropic and educational endeavors, and to participate in Federation activities.

In 2014, the GFWC Jacksonville Beaches Woman’s Club won 14 First Place awards, ten state First Place awards and was named the 2014 GFWC Florida State Club of the Year in Membership Category 3. During that year, the club donated over $50,000 to worthwhile charitable and non-profit projects and organizations.

In 2015, the club celebrated its 75th anniversary as a GFWC club by hosting an open house as the Beaches Historical Museum. The city of Jacksonville Beach proclaimed the day as “Jacksonville Beaches Woman’s Club Day” with a special framed and signed proclamation. Mayors from all three Beaches towns spoke. Our history and accomplishments were celebrated with an entire special “pink” section of six pages in the Florida Times Union.” There was extensive coverage in the “Beaches Leader” as well.

In 2024, the club celebrated its 100th anniversary as a woman’s club serving the beaches community. This club has evolved since its beginning in 1924....100 years of adaption. The objectives still are to care for others, to promote concern for our community, to promote friendship among members, to engage in philanthropic and educational endeavors, and to participate in Federation activities.