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Decided to drop the Florida Black History Month Thread today since the first show in February is being recorded tonight so here we go....
On January 1, 1863, President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation went into affect across the South. Southern cities and states fought back against the orders but one city in Florida abided by the new law and freed over 600 slaves. That city was St. Augustine, Florida.
The slaves were let go and they congregated in a field on the west side of St. Augustine. This field would be named Liberation Lot. It would later be called Lincolnville. Within 20 years from being freed the residents of Lincolnville became a sufficient community.
There were Black homeowners, businesses, and churches. The community was thriving so much that some officials were elected to St. Augustine’s public offices. The emergence of poll taxes and literacy tests put an end to African Americans in the political office until 1973.
This didn’t stop Lincolnville residents from finding a different avenue to succeed in. Frank Butler was the front runner in this movement.
Frank Butler was a prominent store owner and entrepreneur that sold land to other African Americans, allowed them to buy on credit and purchased beach property between Jacksonville and Daytona.
This property would be named Butler Beach and was the only beach open to African Americans during segregation. Butlers actions catapulted the African American community in St. Augustine. Lincolnville would become home to many important events in not only Florida but America.
Tune into Smoke Screen Podcast tomorrow to hear more about The Historic Lincolnville and it’s importance.
