Fruit Cove in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Beluthahatchee
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, August 1, 2023
1. Beluthahatchee Marker
Inscription.
Beluthahatchee. . "Beluthahatchee", as defined by noted author Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960) is a mythical "Florida Shangra-la, where all unpleasantness is forgiven and forgotten." When Florida author/activist Stetson Kennedy moved here, the site was named and set aside as a wildlife sanctuary. After world war two, he infiltrated and exposed the KKK and other groups. Kennedy's books included Palmetto Country (1942), Southern Exposure (1946), Jim Crow Guide (1956), and The Klan Unmasked (1957). The latter two were translated around the world. This site served as headquarters for his pioneering 1950 "total equality" write-in bid for the U.S. Senate. His book, After Appomattox, was completed here in 1955, with the help of his then wife Joyce Ann. That year he won the Gustavus Meyer Award for doing the most to combat bigotry. In April 2005, Kennedy was inducted into the Florida Artist's Hall of Fame. Beluthahatchee also served as a Florida hangout for American's legendary folk balladeer, Woody Guthrie. Here Guthrie completed his autobiographical book, Seeds of Man, and over 80 songs, including "Beluthahatchee Bill." This site was designated a Literay Landmark by Friends of Librabry-USA in 2003.
"Beluthahatchee", as defined by noted author Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960) is a mythical "Florida Shangra-la, where all unpleasantness is forgiven and forgotten." When Florida author/activist Stetson Kennedy moved here, the site was named and set aside as a wildlife sanctuary. After WWII, he infiltrated and exposed the KKK and other groups. Kennedy's books included Palmetto Country (1942), Southern Exposure (1946), Jim Crow Guide (1956), and The Klan Unmasked (1957). The latter two were translated around the world. This site served as headquarters for his pioneering 1950 "total equality" write-in bid for the U.S. Senate. His book, After Appomattox, was completed here in 1955, with the help of his then wife Joyce Ann. That year he won the Gustavus Meyer Award for doing the most to combat bigotry. In April 2005, Kennedy was inducted into the Florida Artist's Hall of Fame. Beluthahatchee also served as a Florida hangout for American's legendary folk balladeer, Woody Guthrie. Here Guthrie completed his autobiographical book, Seeds of Man, and over 80 songs, including "Beluthahatchee Bill." This site was designated a Literay Landmark by Friends of Librabry-USA in 2003.
Erected by St. Johns County.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:
Location. 30° 5.281′ N, 81° 37.757′ W. Marker is in Fruit Cove, Florida, in St. Johns County. Marker can be reached from Florida Route 13, 0.1 miles south of Roberts Road. Marker is located near the parking area for the park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1523 State Road 13, Saint Johns FL 32259, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Stetson Kennedy. (Submitted on August 8, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, August 1, 2023
2. Beluthahatchee Marker
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, August 1, 2023
3. Stetson's Books
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, August 1, 2023
4. Stetson's Human Rights Activism
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, August 1, 2023
5. Beluthahatchee House
Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 109 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 8, 2023, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
