Frenchtown in Tallahassee in Leon County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Enrichment, Pageantry, Culture, and Festivals
| | Soul Voices: Frenchtown Heritage Trail | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2023
1. Enrichment, Pageantry, Culture, and Festivals Marker
As varied as the commercial enterprises were, the community and its activities were just as unique and exciting. Churches played a principal role in the community life of Frenchtown. St. James CME, Bethel African Methodist Episcopal, and Bethel Missionary Baptist were the earliest denominations to erect edifices and extend salvation to the newly freed slaves. These sanctuaries offered religious edification, safe havens, financial assistance, formal education, social venues, and forums for social change.
Perhaps the most highly esteemed asset of the community was its elementary and secondary school, Lincoln High School. Here, queens were crowned, class presidents were elected, football captains were admired, plays were casted, parades were staged, scholars were distinguished, proms were held, and students were instructed in spite of the separate but equal mandate.
The School was the largest venue for the community's after-hours events. In the evenings, there were the standard monthly PTA meetings and school related activities; however, it was the other attractions that enthralled the inhabitants of Frenchtown as well as
this page online
There were gospel concerts, semi-professional sport matches, dances, movies, guest orators, beauty pageants, product demonstrations, cooking classes, and other endeavors that varied between 1869 when the school opened to 1969 when it closed.
[other photo captions]
Far left: Lillian Mae Crawford (Bryant) graduated from Lincoln High School Class of 1931.
Left: Bennie Mae Roberts (Higgs) and Willie "Sun Baby" Carter, Jr. at the Lincoln High School Junior-Senior Prom, 1949.
Right: Miss Lincoln High School, 1963, Alwillie Beatrice Flowers posing for photograph by photographer, Stephen K. Beasley in front of the Home Economics wing of Lincoln High School.
The 1955 wedding of Lemroy "Nick" and Eunice Johnson Saunders at Bethel A.M.E. Church.
Erected by Soul Voices: Frenchtown Heritage Trail.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Entertainment • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.
Location. 30° 26.875′ N, 84° 17.482′ W.
2. Marker detail: Women of Calanthes of Leon Court No. 4
Mrs. Sarah Doyle Way and Mrs. Mamie Strong (second and third persons seated from left) and the women of the Calanthes of Leon Court No. 4, a sister organization of the Knights of Pythias, 1973.
Regionally, this marker is in North Florida. It is also in the American South and specifically in the 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: Faith and Hope (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dreamers and Innovators (about 800 feet away); Energy and Pride (approx. 0.2 miles away); Resilience & Perseverance
3. Barrie Zelda Roberts & James Henry Ashcroft Wedding
Held in 1966 at Bethel A.M.E. Church. Anthon "Ann" Roberts (left) and Mymi Carol Roberts (right) were Maids of Honor.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Soul Voices: Frenchtown Heritage Trail
Also see . . .
1. Frenchtown Heritage Trail highlights local civil rights leaders. Excerpt:
According to Visit Tallahassee, Frenchtown is the oldest Tallahassee community; full of rich history of Black innovators, leaders, businesses, and families since many newly freed slaves settled in Florida after Emancipation. The historical markers feature generations of Black history and culture.(Submitted on July 24, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Old Lincoln High School. Excerpt:
Lincoln High School (also known as Lincoln Academy) is commonly referred to as "Historic Lincoln High School" or "Old Lincoln". There is no connection with Leon County's current Lincoln High School other than name. Lincoln(Submitted on July 24, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Academy opened in 1869 during Reconstruction as the first school for African Americans in Leon County, Florida. At one point it was one of only three schools in the state that provided high school to colored students. It was one of the best-equipped schools in the state and had an enrollment of 250.
4. Marker detail: The Eastern Star Lodge and The MasonsReverend Little, then pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church, standing on the left with two of the Ford brothers. Many members of Tallahassee's pioneer families are pictured here.
5. Marker detail: Miss Sophomore, Lincoln High, 1958
Photographed on the circular lawn in front of the Lincoln Vocational School, Miss Sophomore Delores Gardner (Valdez) (center), Gloria Annette Gilliam (Gardner) (left), Jessie McQueen (Bell) (right), Lincoln High School, 1958.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2023
6. Enrichment, Pageantry, Culture, and Festivals Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 213 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 24, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
