Photos: Legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd honored at Jacksonville's Van Zant House
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Jacksonville's Van Zant House "Freebird" is the southern rock anthem created almost 50 years ago by Lynyrd Skynyrd, a band that got its humble start in a Westside home at 5419 Woodcrest Road.
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Gene Odom, who ran security for Lynyrd Skynyrd and was a childhood friend of band leader Ronnie Van Zant, often gives tours of the home.
Jacksonville's Van Zant House The Van Zant House, where brothers Ronnie, Donnie and Johnnie grew up, is now an Airbnb.
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Real estate investor Todd Smith has been slowly renovating the house over the past few years.
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Smith got the state of Florida to approve a historical marker that now stands in front of the house.
Jacksonville's Van Zant House "It's quite the draw. I mean you come here for any length of time and you stay here and you'll probably get two or three people every day to stop by and take pictures in front of the sign," Smith said.
Jacksonville's Van Zant House The marker tells of the band's history and makes reference to the tragic plane crash in 1977 that killed Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and background vocalist Cassie Gaines after the plane ran out of fuel.
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Diehard fans had the chance to own a piece of the Van Zant House last year in an equity crowd fund campaign.
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Smith says he cancelled the project and instead is now focusing on a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for landscaping.
Jacksonville's Van Zant House "So we want to get a sprinkler system in here, resod, put a real driveway and some nice landscaping and really spruce it up with curb appeal," Smith said.
Jacksonville's Van Zant House The Van Zant House Kickstarter campaign just launched Wednesday, February 17.
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Donors can contribute toward the costs to landscape the front of the Van Zant House.
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Lynyrd Skynyrd made its mark on Britain back in 1976. They opened for the Rolling Stones at the Knebworth Festival.
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Action News Jax's Phil Amato got a chance to sign the wall at the Van Zant House.
Jacksonville's Van Zant House He signed it "Rock On!! Phil Amato"
Jacksonville's Van Zant House
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Lynyrd Skynyrd legacy honored at Jacksonville's Van Zant House
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Lynyrd Skynyrd legacy honored at Jacksonville's Van Zant House
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Lynyrd Skynyrd legacy honored at Jacksonville's Van Zant House
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Lynyrd Skynyrd legacy honored at Jacksonville's Van Zant House
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Lynyrd Skynyrd legacy honored at Jacksonville's Van Zant House
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Lynyrd Skynyrd legacy honored at Jacksonville's Van Zant House
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Lynyrd Skynyrd legacy honored at Jacksonville's Van Zant House
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Lynyrd Skynyrd legacy honored at Jacksonville's Van Zant House
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Lynyrd Skynyrd legacy honored at Jacksonville's Van Zant House
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Lynyrd Skynyrd legacy honored at Jacksonville's Van Zant House
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Lynyrd Skynyrd legacy honored at Jacksonville's Van Zant House
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Lynyrd Skynyrd legacy honored at Jacksonville's Van Zant House
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Lynyrd Skynyrd legacy honored at Jacksonville's Van Zant House
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Lynyrd Skynyrd legacy honored at Jacksonville's Van Zant House
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Lynyrd Skynyrd legacy honored at Jacksonville's Van Zant House
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Lynyrd Skynyrd legacy honored at Jacksonville's Van Zant House
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Lynyrd Skynyrd legacy honored at Jacksonville's Van Zant House
Jacksonville's Van Zant House Lynyrd Skynyrd legacy honored at Jacksonville's Van Zant House
