The Northside began to grow as a suburb of Jacksonville in the 19th century. Although the site of East Florida‘s first steam-powered sawmill, completed in 1828, major growth in Panama Park only came after 1905. In 1915, a new school was constructed, notably designed by architect Henry J. Klutho. By 1931, Panama Park was annexed by Jacksonville.^[9] Tallulah-North Shore, a neighborhood adjacent to Panama Park, was first platted in 1879. The area was annexed by Jacksonville in 1925.^[10] Riverview is a neighborhood bordered by the Trout River to the North and East, Ribault River to the South, and Ribault Ave to the West.^[11] Riverview was originally platted in 1911 by Dr. E.H. Armstrong. Dr. Armstrong also converted his 25-acre waterfront home property into Riverview Tropical Gardens, an attraction with boating, fishing and garden trails of roses, azaleas, and lilies.^[12] In 1979, the city purchased the land and converted the property into a public park.^[13] On July 19, 1925, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens moved to a 37.5-acre (152,000 m²) site on the Trout River, off Heckscher Drive. The zoo had formerly operated in the Springfield neighborhood since May 12, 1914.

The Jacksonville Municipal Airport opened on October 11, 1927, at the intersection of North Main Street (U.S. 17) and Busch Drive. The dedication ceremony was notably attended by Charles Lindbergh, who flew to Jacksonville in the “Spirit of St. Louis” to promote the new airport. Eastern Air Service (later known as Eastern Air Lines) was the first passenger airline to service Jacksonville, beginning in 1931. By 1941 the airport had expanded to 600 acres (240 ha) adding five hangars, a terminal building and five asphalt runways. The first scheduled jet flights were Northeast Convair 880s in April–May 1961. The facility was renamed after Thomas Cole Imeson in the 1950s. Imeson’s work led to the creation of the Jacksonville Municipal Airport, as well as improvements to its runways, hangars and terminal buildings. Imeson Field served as the city’s main airport for 42 years. Jacksonville International Airport, also located on the Northside, was dedicated on September 1, 1968, replacing Imeson Field.

Construction of the Dames Point Bridge began in 1985 and was completed in 1989. The bridge crosses the St. Johns River using a cable-stayed design, connecting Arlington to the Northside of Jacksonville. designed by HNTB Corporation and RS&H, Inc, and constructed by The Massman Construction Company, the main span is 1,300 feet (396.2 m), and is 175 feet (53.3 m) high.^[17] Upon completion, it was longest concrete cable-stayed bridge in the world.^[18]

Opening in 2003, the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal was completed in only six months, and was intended to be a temporary structure. Maintained by the Jacksonville Port Authority, the cruise ship terminal is located near the Dames Point Bridge, on the northern banks of the St. Johns River.^[19] Celebrity Cruises began regular service from Jacksonville on October 27, 2003, discontinuing service in 2005.^[20] The ship Carnival Miracle was christened at the Port of Jacksonville on February 27, 2004, beginning Jacksonville service by Carnival Cruise Lines.^[21] Five cruise ships were chartered to serve as floating hotels during the week preceding Super Bowl XXXIX in February 2005. Four of the vessels docked at JAXPORT terminals, providing over 3,500 rooms plus restaurants and night clubs for fans.^[22] As of 2019, cruises from Jacksonville visit the Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean on board the Carnival Ecstasy.^[23]

River City Marketplace opened on November 17, 2006 as the only quasi-regional outdoor shopping mall in the Northside, and the only one north of the St. Johns River. The 125-acre (0.51 km²) shopping district is located south of Airport Road on the east side of Interstate 95, two miles (3 km) east of Jacksonville International Airport. When Phase II is fully built out, the project will have cost over $300 million to build and boast more than 100 retailers. ^[24]