The LaVilla neighborhood in Jacksonville was once referred to as "the Harlem of the South." Today few structures remain to mark what was truly a significant cultural and historical African American neighborhood in Jacksonville. Historic Landmark Designation of the "LaVilla trio" preserves these houses for future generations, not by just marking the architectural significance of these houses or suitableness for preservation, but by recognizing the history of the area, giving us a springboard for the future in this critical area of Jacksonville.