Lincolnville in St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
79 Bridge Street
ACCORD Freedom Trail
Photographed By Mrs. Shirley Williams-Galvin
1. 79 Bridge Street Marker
After Dr. Gordon's death, the office was rented to Dr. Robert B. Hayling, a dentist who became a prominent leader of the civil rights movement in St. Augustine. Many of the planning sessions for the movement were held here, with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others. On one occasion, the owner of a local tourist attraction came to the office with a gun and said he intended to kill Dr. King, "but I can't do it, because when I look at you, I see that you are a God-sent man." Lawyers who came to support the civil rights efforts made this building their headquarters as well. Two of them--Alvin J. Bronstein and Ralph Temple--were honored by ACCORD when they returned to the Ancient City in 2005.
Dr. Gordon's widow, Mrs. Rosalie Gordon-Mills (1907-2004) made history in 1965 when she became the first black woman in 400 years to seek public office in St. Augustine, as a candidate for the City Commission. On July 2, 2014 this became the first civil rights museum in the state of Florida, with a ribbon cutting on the 50th anniversary
this page online
This Historical Marker Presented this 2nd Day of July, 2007 by: Northrop Grumman
Erected 2007 by The 40th Anniversary to Commemorate the Civil Rights Demonstrations, Inc.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Florida, St. Augustine Freedom Trail, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. series lists.
Location. 29° 53.345′ N, 81° 18.842′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is in Lincolnville. Marker is at the intersection of Bridge Street and Oneida Street, on the right when traveling east on Bridge Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 79 Bridge Street, Saint Augustine FL 32084, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 84 Bridge Street (within shouting distance of this marker); 81 Bridge Street (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Mary's Missionary Baptist (within shouting distance of this marker); 76 Washington Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Record Building (Cordova Apartments)
Photographed By Gwendolyn Duncan, September 11, 2007
2. 79 Bridge Street Marker and the Rudcarlie Building
Also see . . . ACCORD Freedom Trail website. (Submitted on May 16, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.)
Photographed By Gwendolyn Duncan
3. 79 Bridge Street and Marker
Photographed By James R. Murray, May 20, 2014
4. 79 Bridge Street- Dr. Hayling's Dental Office in 2014.
Photographed By Gwendolyn Duncan
5. 79 Bridge Street Marker
Photographed By Gwendolyn Duncan
6. 79 Bridge Street Marker
Photographed By Gwendolyn Duncan
7. 79 Bridge Street Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2008, by Gwendolyn Duncan of St. Augustine, Florida. This page has been viewed 3,189 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on February 11, 2024, by Gwendolyn Duncan of St. Augustine, Florida. Photos: 1. submitted on May 7, 2008, by Gwendolyn Duncan of St. Augustine, Florida. 2. submitted on May 4, 2008, by Gwendolyn Duncan of St. Augustine, Florida. 3. submitted on May 7, 2008, by Gwendolyn Duncan of St. Augustine, Florida. 4. submitted on May 21, 2014, by James R. Murray of Elkton, Florida. 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 11, 2024, by Gwendolyn Duncan of St. Augustine, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
