Jacksonville Reviews History of Brown's Dump Site

The former landfill site currently houses a shuttered school, raising questions about historical land-use practices.

Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Primary Education

Screen-print poster illustration of an abandoned school on an overgrown, desolate lot, depicting the site of the former Brown's Dump. — Jacksonville officials are evaluating the environmental history of the former Brown's Dump site, which currently sits as an unused property containing a shuttered school. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Between the late 1940s and mid-1950s, the city of Jacksonville operated a landfill for toxic incinerator ash known as Brown's Dump. Today, a boarded-up elementary school named for Mary McLeod Bethune remains on the 250-acre site.

Why it matters

Understanding the history of this site is essential for residents concerned about local land use and the environmental legacy of municipal infrastructure built on former industrial disposal areas.

The former Brown's Dump site covers 250 acres within Jacksonville. The city operated the facility for toxic ash disposal from the late 1940s until the mid-1950s.

The players

City of Jacksonville

The local municipal government responsible for historical waste management and current city land-use planning.

Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School

A now-shuttered school named in honor of the prominent educator and activist that stands on the site of the former landfill.

The details

The city of Jacksonville utilized the 250-acre property to deposit toxic ash generated by municipal incinerators. The land selection was influenced by historical redlining practices that dictated residential and industrial zoning decisions during that era.

The city began operating the landfill in the late 1940s.
The city ceased operations at the site in the mid-1950s.

The Home Front

This site serves as a local example of how historical municipal planning and redlining decisions continue to influence current neighborhood development. The presence of the shuttered school on this specific acreage reflects broader patterns of land use and environmental legacy in urban centers.

Residents living near the former Brown's Dump site should research local property disclosures if they are considering renovations or new home purchases in the surrounding area. Consult with municipal planning offices to verify if any environmental safety reports have been filed for specific neighborhood blocks.

The takeaway

Legacy environmental risks from mid-century incinerator ash remain a factor in long-term neighborhood planning and site safety. Homeowners in the vicinity should review public land-use records when evaluating the history and future potential of their property.