The Springfield Woman's Club

Benjamin F. Dillon, Superintendent of Western Union Telegraph Co., President of Florida Drug & Chemical Co. and Florida Sundry Co., moved with his wife, Mary J., and their son, Benjamin Jr, into the burgeoning Springfield community. They are first mentioned in the 1896 Jacksonville directory, living at 124 E. 2nd Street. In 1902, they moved into their newly built magnificent home listed at the northwest corner of Silver and Pearl Streets. At the Pearl Street end, stood the Drew House, which is still there today. The Dillon residence was four doors further down, at the other end. As the photograph shows, this was a magnificent house and was probably the largest house on the block. A guesstimate puts the size at about 5,000 square feet. Later, it became 203 3rd Street West.

"The meeting of the Springfield Improvement Assn. yesterday at the home of the president, Mrs. B.F. Dillon, demonstrated that there was a great interest in the objectives of the organization. There were at least 60 ladies in attendance and among them were many who came to place their names on the roll of membership."

"Mid a scene of brilliant illumination Newsum's band will open the season of open-air concerts in Springfield Park Thursday night, commencing at about 8 o'clock. Nothing has been left undone by the Springfield Improvement Assn. to make these concerts enjoyable."

In August 1905, they held a giant midsummer lawn fete. The newspaper report stated that the event promised to be one of the year's biggest social gatherings.

The Springfield Improvement Association had many interests in the community. They supported the Springfield school; they were concerned about trash not only being unsightly but also causing too many flies; and they tried to keep livestock off the street and pavements.

On March 30, 1906, the newspaper reported:

"The Springfield Improvement Assn. never does things by halves. This energetic body of women has been remarkably successful in the improving of the charming residential suburb. The streets are attractive with lawns and shade trees and the alleys are clean and free from weeds and trash."

The minutes for May 8, 1906, hold an interesting tidbit:

"A letter was read from Mr. Wilbur McLevy who announced that he had sent a fine seedling oak, grown at Mount Vernon as a gift to the Springfield Improvement Association, from the Forestry Association. The President informed the ladies that the little tree had been planted in an advantageous place in the park." We wonder where!

On November 12, 1907, The First Vice President, Mrs. Franz, called a special meeting " . . . owing to the sickness and later on the death of their beloved President, Mrs. B.F. Dillon."
They met again on December 11, 1907, and the minutes state: "The ladies present were all very anxious to work for an electric fountain or whatever the Society thought best as a memorial of the late President."

At that time, the Association had but 39 cents in the bank, so they set about raising funds and finding a design for the fountain. It is evident from the minutes that Mrs. Dillon was a kindly woman, earning respect and affection. The meeting of April 9, 1908 reported:

"Mrs. Roach, chairman of a committee for soliciting contributions from the Street Railway Company, had seen Mr. Crown and he had promised to ask the management and was sure of success."

And so the fundraising went on, until the meeting of July 9, 1909, when the minutes state:

"The third proposal of Mr. Pillars of a beautiful design in marble and bronze for $872 was accepted."

This provided the inspiration for the fountain that was erected to honor the memory of Mary Dillon. The fountain was restored in 2006 and is once more in Klutho Park. Click here to see the fountain today.

History