22nd Street South Corridor

22nd Street South Corridor. . The neighborhood that surrounds the intersection of 22nd Street S. and 9th Avenue S. was once the most important area, in the most vibrant African-American neighborhood, during St. Petersburg's segregation era. By law, African Americans were forced to live in this area. Despite this violation of freedom, the community created a self sufficient and independent spirit. African Americans generally were not welcome downtown or in white residential areas. This remained the case until the mid-20th century, when integration began to offer new opportunities., Once considered out in the country relative to downtown St. Petersburg, the community began to develop among palmettos and pine woods during the 1920s. People began moving into the area because new industries offered jobs and because white city leaders encouraged the movement of African Americans away from the older black neighborhoods., The core of 22nd Street S. lay between 5th and 15th Avenues S., where stores opened offering furniture, clothing, groceries, and sundry items. Restaurants sprung up along the street and every professional service was available. It was also an entertainment hot spot with nightclubs and beer gardens. The king of them all was the Manhattan Casino, which held dances featuring house bands and frequently played host to America's finest musicians and gospel singers. A few Jewish merchants, also banned from opening in St. Petersburg's downtown, got their start on 22nd Street S., In contrast to the commercial corridor, the 9th Avenue S. corridor between 16th and 24th Streets S. became an avenue filled with churches, schools, and civil organizations. On opposing ends were Jordan Elementary to the west and Sixteenth Street Junior High and Immaculate Conception Catholic School to the east. For decades, a dozen churches along the avenue, or near it, opened their doors to the faithful of many denominations., Gradual integration and the coming of the interstate damaged the street's commercial, professional, and entertainment bases while also damaging its cultural identity. Serious decline was evident by the 1979s., More specific information is available on markers situated along both the 22nd Street S. and the 9th Avenue S. corridors. We hope you will walk them. You will learn about entrepreneurs, civil rights pioneers, caring people, and personalities who cast giant shadows in the community. Most importantly, you will come to appreciate the resilience of people whose ingenuity, talent, and perseverance let them thrive amid the era's restrictive social system., Credits: , The African-American Heritage Association of St. Petersburg, Inc. and the Historic Preservation Division, City of St. Petersburg would like to give thanks to the following organizations and agencies for their invaluable help in creating this walking trail: the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County, the St. Petersburg Museum of History, Pinellas County Heritage Village, the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, the Tampa Bay Times, Special Collections and University Archives, Nelson Poynter Memorial Library, University of South Florida St. Petersburg, and Mike Labruyere, Graphic Designer. Special thanks also go to Mayor Bill Foster (2010-2014) for his vision in initiating the African American Heritage Project and Mayor Rick Kriseman (2014- ) for overseeing the completion of the trails. Finally, a special thank you goes to all of the members of the community and organizations who assisted by sharing their photographs, memories, and stories., This project has been financed in part with historic preservation grant assistance provided by the National Park Service, U.S, Department of the Interior, administered through the Bureau of Historic Preservation, Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State, assisted by the Florida Historical Commission. However, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Department of the Interior or the Florida Department of State, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Department of the Interior or the Florida Department of State. This program receives Federal financial assistance for Identification and protection of historic properties. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 196 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, national origin religion, sex, disability, or sexual orientation in its federally assisted programs. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service, 1849 C Street, NW. Washington, DC 20240.