St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Freedom Bell

1899

— Slaves Freed —

Freedom Bell Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 1, 2025

1. Freedom Bell Marker

Inscription.
Slaves Freed” During the Civil War, St. Augustine fell into Union hands March of 1862. In January of 1863, President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation was officially issued in Florida at this location. This action freed all slaves in Florida. Former St. Augustine slave Mary Gomez reported that when word of the Emancipation Proclamation reached the city, all slaveholders were ordered to release their slaves and allow them to gather in a large vacant lot at this location. The slaves were freed during the reading and the "bonds" of the slaves including Mary Gomez were “struck off.”

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Notable Events • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1863.

Location. 29° 53.404′ N, 81° 18.753′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is at the intersection of Cordova Street and Bridge Street, on the left when traveling south on Cordova Street. The marker is located within the grounds of the Collector

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Inn. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 149 Cordova Street, Saint Augustine FL 32084, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in First Coast

and in Greater Jacksonville.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: First Colonial Houses (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonial Defense Line (within shouting distance of this marker); Nuestra Señora de la Soledad (within shouting distance of this marker); Sisters of St. Joseph - Florida Motherhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Star General Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Canova-Dow and Canova-de Medicis Houses (within shouting distance of this marker); King’s Road Bridge

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 1, 2025

2. Freedom Bell Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Canova-Prince Murat House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.

Also see . . .
1. St. Augustine’s Important Black History Site. (Submitted on October 2, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Old St. Augustine Village. (Submitted on October 2, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
3. A Comprehensive Guide to Historic St. Augustine, Florida. (Submitted on October 2, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 140 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 2, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.