Sarasota in Sarasota County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
First Black Community
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, February 26, 2020
1. First Black Community Marker (side 1)
(side 1)
This Black community grew as businessmen, fishermen, physicians, nurses, teachers, farmers, contractors, carpenters, laborers, drivers, masons, blacksmiths, laundry workers and railroad workers made this area their home. Along Sixth Street were pressing clubs and lunch rooms, meat and fish markets, grocery and general merchandise stores and a variety of other businesses providing goods and services for the growing community. From the time of this communitys founding, the Black residents living and working here have played a vital role in the development of both the City and the County of Sarasota.
(side 2)
The first Black settler here was Lewis Colson who, in 1884, assisted in surveying the Town of Sarasota. By 1886, several Black families were living here. In 1899 Lewis and Irene Colson organized the Bethlehem Baptist Church. Later, F.H. Haynes, C.H. Murphy, Campbell Mitchell and Leonard Reid organized the A.M.E. Church. In the early days school was taught by Josie Washington in her home. In 1912 a public school was established with Wright Bush, Henry Clark, Elbert Clark, J.P. Carter, Campbell Mitchell, John Mays, John Woods, Ed Carmichael, and J.H. Glover as trustees. Emma Booker was the principal of this school for many years.
Erected 1985
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church series list.
Location. 27° 20.474′ N, 82° 32.551′ W. Marker is in Sarasota, Florida, in Sarasota County. It is at the intersection of Boulevard of the Arts and Central Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Boulevard of the Arts. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sarasota FL 34236, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It is also in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. 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: Rosemary Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Rosemary Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Resting Place of Pioneer Families and Hidden Histories (approx. 0.2 miles away); Edwards Theatre 1926 (approx. 0.3 miles away); John D. MacDonald 1916-1986/John D. and the Friday Liars (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sarasota Garden Club (approx. 0.3 miles away); Seaboard Railway Depot (approx. 0.3 miles away); City of Sarasota (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sarasota.
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 24, 2018
2. First Black Community Marker (side 2)
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, February 26, 2020
3. First Black Community Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 765 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on March 6, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. Photos: 1. submitted on March 6, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 2. submitted on March 7, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 3. submitted on March 6, 2020, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
