Eatonville in Orange County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Mack’s Auto Repair Garage

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, April 24, 2022

1. Mack’s Auto Repair Garage Marker

Inscription.

Mack’s Auto Repair Garage. . The concrete-block building that presently sits on the corner of Kennedy Boulevard and College Street was once the location of one of the "second-wave" business establishments within the Town. Beginning in the late 1930's, some businesses were separated from the house in which the owner lived. In 1946 Mack Robinson responded to the fact that more automobiles were traveling via the Town's main street. He purchased the property on what was then Lake Avenue, and built and operated Mack's Auto Repair and Gas. This property had multiple functions. Mack's was a popular after school gathering place, as Hungerford Students flocked there to buy sodas and snacks from Mrs. Robinson. The garage also housed the Town's first fire truck and serviced the school buses that were owned by Hungerford School., Since 1989, the refurbished building has been the headquarters of the Association to preserve the Eatonville Community, Inc. (P.E.C.), a non-profit historic preservation organization. Organized in 1987 to preserve the Eatonville community and the heritage it represents as a historical African American town, PEC. has focused on preservation strategies, educational programs, and cultural enhancement. Its signature event is the sponsorship of the Annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities. As a result of the festival and the other year-round programs, which celebrates the Town's heritage, and culture; and focuses on the economic development of the community, P.E.C. has become the catalyst for Eatonville's heightened visibility both locally and nationally. The building also houses the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts, which provides a small gallery where the public can view the creative works of artists of African descent. , , (caption) , Customers pose beside a “new” car parked in front of Mack’s Auto Repair Garage. Photo c. 1955 . This historical marker was erected by The Town of Eatonville Community Redevelopment Agency. It is in Eatonville in Orange County Florida

The concrete-block building that presently sits on the corner of Kennedy Boulevard and College Street was once the location of one of the "second-wave" business establishments within the Town. Beginning in the late 1930's, some businesses were separated from the house in which the owner lived. In 1946 Mack Robinson responded to the fact that more automobiles were traveling via the Town's main street. He purchased the property on what was then Lake Avenue, and built and operated Mack's Auto Repair and Gas. This property had multiple functions. Mack's was a popular after school gathering place, as Hungerford Students flocked there to buy sodas and snacks from Mrs. Robinson. The garage also housed the Town's first fire truck and serviced the school buses that were owned by Hungerford School.

Since 1989, the refurbished building has been the headquarters of the Association to preserve the Eatonville Community, Inc. (P.E.C.), a non-profit historic preservation organization. Organized in 1987 to preserve the Eatonville community and the heritage it represents as a historical African American town, PEC. has focused on preservation

Photographed By Brandon D Cross, April 24, 2022

2. Mack’s Auto Repair Garage Marker

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strategies, educational programs, and cultural enhancement. Its signature event is the sponsorship of the Annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts & Humanities. As a result of the festival and the other year-round programs, which celebrates the Town's heritage, and culture; and focuses on the economic development of the community, P.E.C. has become the catalyst for Eatonville's heightened visibility both locally and nationally. The building also houses the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts, which provides a small gallery where the public can view the creative works of artists of African descent.

(caption)
Customers pose beside a “new” car parked in front of Mack’s Auto Repair Garage. Photo c. 1955

Erected by The Town of Eatonville Community Redevelopment Agency. (Marker Number 10.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 28° 37.12′ N, 81° 22.91′ W. Marker is in Eatonville, Florida, in Orange County. Marker is on North College Avenue north of East Kennedy Boulevard, on the right when traveling north. Located on the east side of the Eatonville Town Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 307 E Kennedy Blvd, Maitland FL 32751, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker. Eatonville, Florida (within shouting distance of this marker); Hungerford School (within shouting distance of this marker); Eatonville Fire Department (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Zora Neale Hurston (about 600 feet away); Joe Clark’s Store (about 600 feet away); Club Eaton (about 600 feet away); Eatonville Town Hall (about 600 feet away); Eatonville Police Department (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Eatonville.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 70 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 29, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.