Jacksonville Terminal (Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center), Florida

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Jacksonville, Florida · Updated October 19, 2026 · 9 min read

Historic rail siteNow a convention center; the interior is open during booked events

The Jacksonville Terminal opened in 1919 as the city's great union train station, and since 1986 it has served as the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, keeping its historic architecture in daily use.

  • Opened November 17, 1919
  • National Register listing in 1976
  • Converted 1982 to 1985
  • Convention center since 1986

Jacksonville Terminal (Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center) at a glance

Hours
No museum hours; the interior is open during scheduled events
Admission
No museum admission; event tickets vary
Plan for
A short stop to see the exterior
Best for
Architecture and rail history fans

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Jacksonville Terminal (Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center)? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Jacksonville.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

From union station to convention hall

The Jacksonville Terminal, also called Union Station or Union Terminal, opened on November 17, 1919 as downtown Jacksonville's main passenger station. Its grand historic architecture made it one of the city's landmarks, and in 1976 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places for its role as the Jacksonville Terminal.

When passenger trains no longer needed the building, Jacksonville gave it a new life instead of losing it. From 1982 to 1985 the station was renovated and converted, and in 1986 it reopened as the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, joining the old terminal complex with newly built space. Visit Jacksonville says it remains the only southern railroad station in the country converted into a modern convention center, and the venue has continued to receive upgrades to its finishes, building systems and security while staying open.

What you can see of the old station

The historic terminal building is the attraction here. Its grand architecture is visible from outside at any time, and the interior spaces are open when the convention center hosts an event. There is no railroad museum or train collection inside.

Is it worth a stop with kids?

For young train fans this is a quick look at a real old station from the outside rather than an attraction with trains to climb. Pair it with a hands-on rail stop nearby, such as the Georgia Coastal Railway in St. Marys, for a fuller day.

Plan your visit: tips for Jacksonville Terminal (Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center)

  • Check the convention center's event calendar if you want to see inside the old terminal.
  • Bring a camera for the historic facade; the exterior can be seen any time.
  • Combine it with a rail stop across the Georgia line for a full train day.

Who looks after the building

The old terminal is managed today as a working convention venue in downtown Jacksonville, with upgrades to its interiors and building systems that keep the historic station in active use. The best way to support it is simply to attend an event there and see the space for yourself.

Train stops within an hour of downtown Jacksonville

The Georgia Coastal Railway in St. Marys is about 32 miles north, and the Folkston Funnel train viewing platform is about 40 miles away for watching busy freight traffic. Heading south, Kirby Family Farm in Williston is about 81 miles off. See Florida's train museums for more.

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Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a dad lifting Rally the corgi up the big stairs of a red train car
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

A big station like the Jacksonville Terminal makes me think of all the steps between the platform and the train. In our book, those steps are a real problem for Rally. A corgi's legs are short, so Dad scoops him up and gives him a boost into the car while Mom laughs. Every family with a little one knows that moment, and my mom knew it too when she dreamed up the story.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Jacksonville Terminal (Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center)?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Jacksonville Terminal: 20 questions about the old station

What was the Jacksonville Terminal?

The Jacksonville Terminal, also known as Union Station or Union Terminal, was downtown Jacksonville's main passenger train station. It opened on November 17, 1919, and today the building is part of the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, where its historic architecture is still in use.

When did the Jacksonville Terminal open?

The Jacksonville Terminal opened on November 17, 1919. It served as the city's great union passenger station for decades before being converted into a convention center in the 1980s. Historic photo collections of the station show how it looked in its railroad years.

Is the Prime Osborn Convention Center the old train station?

Yes. The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center opened in 1986 and was built around the historic Jacksonville Terminal complex, also known as Union Station, along with several thousand square feet of newly built space. The old station's architecture is a central feature of the venue.

When was the Jacksonville Terminal turned into a convention center?

The station was renovated and converted from 1982 to 1985, and the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center opened in 1986. The conversion saved the 1919 terminal building by giving it a new everyday purpose instead of leaving it empty after passenger trains moved on.

Is the Jacksonville Terminal on the National Register of Historic Places?

Yes. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 for its significance as the Jacksonville Terminal. That listing came several years before the 1982 to 1985 renovation that turned it into the Prime Osborn Convention Center.

Can you visit the Jacksonville Terminal?

You can see the historic building from outside at any time, and you can go inside when the convention center is hosting an event. It is not a museum with regular visiting hours. Check the event calendar for the Prime Osborn Convention Center if you would like to see the interior.

Is there a train museum inside the Prime Osborn Convention Center?

No. The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center is a working event venue rather than a museum, and it does not have a train collection on display. Its railroad history lives in the building itself, the 1919 Jacksonville Terminal that forms the heart of the center.

Do trains still stop at the Jacksonville Terminal?

No. The building no longer serves as a passenger station. It was converted into the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center in the 1980s and has been used for conventions, meetings and events since 1986.

How big is the Prime Osborn Convention Center?

Figures vary by source. Wikipedia lists the center at about 265,000 square feet, while Visit Jacksonville describes more than 275,000 gross square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor space. Either way, it combines the historic terminal with newer construction.

Who is the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center named for?

The center carries the name of Prime F. Osborn III. Details about him are not posted on the center's public listings, so check local history sources or the Jacksonville Historical Society if you would like to learn more about the person behind the name.

What makes the Jacksonville Terminal unusual?

Visit Jacksonville says it is the only southern railroad station in the United States converted into a state-of-the-art convention center. Clio, a history guide, calls the converted building the only one of its kind in the nation, and it remains a working venue today.

Is the Jacksonville Terminal good to visit with kids?

It is best as a quick stop to look at a grand old train station from outside. There are no trains to climb or rides, so families with young train fans may want to pair it with an operating railroad or museum nearby, such as the Georgia Coastal Railway in St. Marys.

Where is the Jacksonville Terminal located?

The old Jacksonville Terminal stands in downtown Jacksonville, Florida, as part of the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center. Visit Jacksonville notes it is a short drive from the airport and close to downtown hotels. Use the convention center's name in your map app to find it.

Is there parking at the Prime Osborn Convention Center?

Parking details are set by each event rather than posted for casual visitors. If you are attending an event, check the organizer's instructions or the convention center's event listing for parking options, especially for large shows that fill nearby lots.

Is the Prime Osborn Convention Center being renovated?

Downtown Jacksonville's visitor guide says the center will remain open while it undergoes upgrades, including interior finishes, building systems and security improvements. Events continue during the work, so the historic terminal stays in use and visitors attending a show can still see the old station spaces.

Are there old photos of the Jacksonville Terminal?

Yes. The Florida Times-Union published a gallery of historic photos of the Jacksonville Terminal train station in 2021, showing the building in its railroad years. Those images are a good way to picture the station before it became a convention center.

Can I host an event at the old Jacksonville Terminal?

Yes. The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center books conventions, meetings, sporting events and other gatherings in its mix of historic and newer space. Visit Jacksonville handles meeting inquiries for the city, so contact them or the center to ask about availability.

Is the Jacksonville Terminal wheelchair accessible?

Accessibility details are not posted for casual visits. As an active convention venue that has undergone upgrades, it hosts large public events, but confirm specific needs with the event organizer or the convention center before you go.

What is the history of Union Station in Jacksonville?

Union Station, the Jacksonville Terminal, opened in November 1919 and served as the city's main passenger rail hub. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, converted from 1982 to 1985, and reopened in 1986 as the Prime Osborn Convention Center.

What train attractions are near Jacksonville?

The Georgia Coastal Railway in St. Marys is about 32 miles away, and the Folkston Funnel Train Viewing Platform, a popular spot to watch freight trains, is about 40 miles. Kirby Family Farm in Williston is about 81 miles south and runs themed train events.

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