Haines City in Polk County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Historic Oakland Neighborhood Business District
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, July 13, 2023
1. Historic Oakland Neighborhood Business District Marker
Inscription.
Historic Oakland Neighborhood Business District. . The Oakland Neighborhood of Haines City functioned as the business/commercial district for African Americans from the early 1900s to well into the 1970s. It is a seven-block area spanning Avenue “A” through Avenue “H” of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Way (previously North 11th Street). Businesses that thrived during this period included restaurants/cafes, grocery stores, ice cream parlors/soda fountains, dry good retailers, a jewelry retailer, a dry cleaner, a movie theater, barbershops, an American Legion Hall, a pool/billiard room, beer gardens, gas/auto service stations and a wine and spirit retailer. During the seasonal citrus harvesting (September – May) period, commerce activity of Oakland’s business district equaled or exceeded that of the broader Haines City downtown commercial district. Oakland Senior High School, a historically African American high school, occupied the entire block between avenues “D” and “E,” and closed in 1968. In recent years, store front faith-based entities have established a presence in the area. Residential homes were and continue to be comingled in this seven-block district. , A Florida Heritage Site
The Oakland Neighborhood of Haines City functioned as the business/commercial district for African Americans from the early 1900s to well into the 1970s. It is a seven-block area spanning Avenue “A” through Avenue “H” of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Way (previously North 11th Street). Businesses that thrived during this period included restaurants/cafes, grocery stores, ice cream parlors/soda fountains, dry good retailers, a jewelry retailer, a dry cleaner, a movie theater, barbershops, an American Legion Hall, a pool/billiard room, beer gardens, gas/auto service stations and a wine and spirit retailer. During the seasonal citrus harvesting (September – May) period, commerce activity of Oakland’s business district equaled or exceeded that of the broader Haines City downtown commercial district. Oakland Senior High School, a historically African American high school, occupied the entire block between avenues “D” and “E,” and closed in 1968. In recent years, store front faith-based entities have established a presence in the area. Residential homes were and continue to be comingled in this seven-block district.
A Florida Heritage Site
Erected 2022 by The Oakland High Alumni, Inc., and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-1179.)
Location. 28° 7.256′ N, 81° 37.337′ W. Marker is in Haines City, Florida, in Polk County. Marker is on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way just north of Avenue E, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Haines City FL 33844, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Historic Oakland Neighborhood Business District Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 89 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 30, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
