Historic District in St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

33 Bernard Street

ACCORD Freedom Trail

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, November 16, 2016

1. 33 Bernard Street Marker

Inscription. Bernard Street is one of three historically black residential streets in the North City area, dating back to the Flagler Era. At the west end of the street were a lumber yard, steam laundry, and ice plant that provided employment. Other residents worked at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind and the Fountain of Youth.

In the early twentieth century, Dawson Chapel C.M.E., Hurst Chapel A.M.E., and North City Baptist Church were built on Bernard St.

Many residents were active in the civl rights movement of the 1960's, including Eliza Hawthorne, secretary of the NAACP, and Bungum Roberson, treasurer of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Another notable resident was Cary White for whom a building was named at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind is named. He was the school's first black graduate.

St. Augustine public schools were segregated until 1963, when 6 black students enrolled in formerly all-white schools. In May, 1964 it was announced that 13 more black students would go to white schools, a majority of them lived on Bernard Street.

This marker is placed here to honor

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the pioneers of school desegregation who lived on Bernard Street: Rose Etta Washington and Alfred Eugene Davis (who lived in this house), Christopher White, Janet Elizabeth White, Janice Marie White, Deanna Debra Brown, Michael Edward Brown, and Walter Eugene White.

For their courage, they were included in the group that Dr. Martin Luther King hailed as "the heroes of St. Augustine."

This historical marker presented on the 2nd day of July, 2008 by Northrop Grumman.

Erected 2008 by The 40th Anniversary to Commemorate the Civil Rights Demonstrations, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, and the Florida, St. Augustine Freedom Trail series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1964.

Location. 29° 54.187′ N, 81° 19.17′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is in the Historic District. It is on Bernard Street, on the right

McCory's Five and Dime Store image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, March 24, 2017

2. McCory's Five and Dime Store

158 Saint George Street The incident described on this marker was the catalyst that began the St. Augustine Civil Rights Movement.

when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 33 Bernard Street, Saint Augustine FL 32084, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in First Coast

and in Greater Jacksonville.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: Water Power! (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mission Nombre de Dios (approx. 0.2 miles away); 1902 Steam-Powered Tractor (approx. 0.2 miles away); Nombre de Dios Mission (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Old Senator (approx. ¼ mile away); Msgr. Harold Frederick Jordan (approx. ¼ mile away); Historic Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche (approx. 0.3 miles away); Our Lady of La Leche (approx. 0.3 miles away).

Freedom Trail Marker at 33 Bernard Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mrs. Shirley Williams Galvin, February 24, 2008

3. Freedom Trail Marker at 33 Bernard Street

33 Bernard Street was the residence of two of the first black students to attend desegregated school in 1964. Houses in this historically black neighborhood date back to the Flagler Era.

Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.

Additional keywords. ACCORD Freedom Trail, ACCORD Northrop Grumman Freedom Trail, Freedom Trail of St. Augustine, FL

33 Bernard Street Residence image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James R. Murray, May 20, 2014

4. 33 Bernard Street Residence

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2009, by Gwendolyn Duncan of St. Augustine, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,043 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 18, 2016, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 2. submitted on March 27, 2017, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3. submitted on April 13, 2009, by Gwendolyn Duncan of St. Augustine, Florida. 4. submitted on May 21, 2014, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.