St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
570 Christopher Street
ACCORD Freedom Trail
He was one of the group that convinced the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) to come to St. Augustine in the Spring of 1964, and made the trip to Jacksonville to pick up Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the airport.
The Halyards also provided lodging for people who came from around the country to support the civil rights efforts here. One of them was the famous author Sarah Patton Boyle (1906-1994) who wrote the Desegregated Heart (1962) and other books. A Virginian, and a cousin of General George S. Patton, was praised by Dr. King in his celebrated "Letter from the Birmingham Jail" for having written about our struggle in eloquent and prophetic terms."
Boyle was arrested, for the first time in her life, when attempting, as part of a racially integrated group, to be served at the segregated Monson Motel restaurant on the bayfront. She spent several days in the St. Johns County Jail, and later published an article called "Song of a Jailbird." She wote: "I regard my arrest as an honorary degree in the struggle to implement the principles in which I so deeply believe."
This Historical Marker presented this 2nd Day of July, 2008 by: Northrop Grumman
Erected 2008.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Civil Rights • Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is July 2008.
Location. 29° 53.269′ N, 81° 20.04′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. Marker is on Christopher Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 570 Christopher Street, Saint Augustine FL 32084, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. S.D.W. Smith, Ancient City, Mt. Horeb #20 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); 262 West King Street (approx. ¼ mile away); Zora Neale Hurston (approx. 0.4 miles away); Randolph Caldecott (approx. 0.4 miles away); 57 Chapin Street (approx. 0.4 miles away); Zion Baptist Church (approx. half a mile away); 96 Evergreen Avenue (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2009, by Gwendolyn Duncan of St. Augustine, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,304 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 28, 2009, by Gwendolyn Duncan of St. Augustine, Florida. 2. submitted on May 19, 2014, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.