Marianna in Jackson County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The West End Community

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, February 10, 2017

1. The West End Community Marker

Inscription. As early as 1825, African Americans settled in the Jackson County area. After 1865, interconnected communities developed their own infrastructure including cemeteries, schools, and churches. From these communities, a large population came together on a 563 acre parcel, later named West End, near downtown Marianna. It was bordered by Borden Street, Lafayette Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, and South Street. Home styles included shotgun, block types, and brick ranch. Over the years, the West End community grew from hundreds to over a thousand. Farming and sharecropping were originally the main sources of income, but later residents also held teaching and governmental jobs. A renaissance period in the late 19th and early 20th centuries brought the construction of new schools and churches, coupled with thriving, minority-owned businesses. Historic institutions in the West End were St. James A.M.E. Church, St. Luke Baptist Church, Gilmore Academy, and Jackson County Training School. Involvement in city government remained important and five city mayors hailed from West End between the 1980s and 2016. The community's maxim evolved

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from the Akan word, Sankofa, meaning "learn from our past, going into the future."

Erected 2016 by Saint James A.M.E. Church, Castoria S. Borders Family, Johney Baker, Sr. and Carrie Ephraim Baker Family, Maggie Pender Atwater Family, Evelyn P. and Chalmers Wilson, Jr. Family, C. Wilson III, the Chipola Historical Trust, the City of Marianna, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-920.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 30° 46.588′ N, 85° 14.144′ W. Marker is in Marianna, Florida, in Jackson County. It is at the intersection of Lafayette Street (U.S. 90) and Borden Street, on the right when traveling east on Lafayette Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2910 Borden Street, Marianna FL 32446, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Panhandle.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, February 10, 2017

2. The West End Community Marker

Looking west on US 90 and Borden Street intersection.

Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fighting at Ely Corner (within shouting distance of this marker); Ely-Criglar House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Russ House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Holden House (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Luke's Churchyard (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of the Battle of Marianna (approx. ¼ mile away); First United Methodist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gilmore Academy - Jackson County Training School (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marianna.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2017. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,019 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 16, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.