St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
31 King Street
ACCORD Freedom Trail
Photographed By Mrs. Shirley Williams-Galvin
1. 31 King Street Marker
The Ponce de Leon Shopping Center opened in 1955 as the first downtown shopping center in St. Augustine. It was designed by Morris Lapidus (1902-2001), Florida's most famous mid-twentieth century architect, and is the only example of his work in the Ancient City. It was anchored by a Woolworth's store on the west side (the door handles still say Woolworth's). On February 1, 1960, black college students in Greensboro, N.C. began a sit-in at their Woolworth's lunch counter to protest racial discrimination. Their example electrified the south, and just a few weeks later, students from Florida Memorial College in St. Augustine began sitting-in at this Woolworth's lunch counter.In the summer of 1963, local black high school students sat-in here and were arrested. They refused when the judge wanted them to end their participation in the civil rights effort, and as a result spent the next six months in jail and reform school. The case of the St. Augustine Four--Audrey Nell Edwards, JoeAnn Anderson, Samuel White and Willie Carl Singleton--received national publicity as an example of injustice, and finally the governor and cabinet of Florida
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. (ACCORD).
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Civil Rights • Education • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Florida, St. Augustine Freedom Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1964.
Location. 29° 53.53′ N, 81° 18.721′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. Marker is on King Street (County Road 214) 0.1 miles west of A1A Scenic and Historic Costal Byway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 31 King 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. Trinity Parish Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Cast Iron Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); Nuestra Señora de los Remedios (within shouting distance of this marker); Trinity Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Augustine Foot Soldiers
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, March 24, 2017
2. McCory's Five And Dime Store Marker
Also see . . . ACCORD Freedom Trail website. (Submitted on May 16, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.)
Additional keywords. The St. Augustine Freedom Trail
Photographed By Mrs. Shirley Williams-Galvin
3. 31 King Street Marker
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, September 18, 2020
4. 31 King Street Marker looking west on King Street
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, September 18, 2020
5. Woolworth Push Plates still on the door now housed by Wells Fargo
Credits. This page was last revised on September 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2008, by Gwendolyn Duncan of St. Augustine, Florida. This page has been viewed 2,560 times since then and 174 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 15, 2008. 2. submitted on March 27, 2017, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3. submitted on May 15, 2008, by Gwendolyn Duncan of St. Augustine, Florida. 4, 5. submitted on September 19, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Christopher Busta-Peck was the editor who published this page.
