Winter Haven in Polk County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Historic Pughsville Neighborhood
Photographed By Stanley and Terrie Howard, November 10, 2009
1. Historic Pughsville Neighborhood Marker
Inscription.
Historic Pughsville Neighborhood. . Pughsville was one of Winter Haven's earliest neighborhoods, populated predominately by African Americans. These individuals cleared land and settled in what is now the southwest section of the city. For many decades, Pughsville remained a vibrant and thriving community. Pughsville was named in honor of one of the earliest black pioneers, the Reverend Charles Pugh, who was one of the founders of one of the oldest black churches in Pughsville, Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Pughsville boasted three other churches-Bethel A.M.E., St. Paul Holiness, and Church of Christ. During the peak of its existence , 1900(s) - 1950(s) , Pughsville had an African American school, social halls, small grocery stores and restaurants. Many residents worked in the citrus industry, but others were restaurant owners, business professionals, educators, construction workers and domestic workers. Still others worked in local, state and federal government jobs. Pughsville produced Winter Haven's first African-American commissioner, medical doctor, mayor, fire fighter and postal worker. The original Pughsville began to decline during the late 1970s as larger commercial establishments began arriving in the area, driving up property values.
Pughsville was one of Winter Haven's earliest neighborhoods, populated predominately by African Americans. These individuals cleared land and settled in what is now the southwest section of the city. For many decades, Pughsville remained a vibrant and thriving community. Pughsville was named in honor of one of the earliest black pioneers, the Reverend Charles Pugh, who was one of the founders of one of the oldest black churches in Pughsville, Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Pughsville boasted three other churches-Bethel A.M.E., St. Paul Holiness, and Church of Christ. During the peak of its existence — 1900(s) - 1950(s) — Pughsville had an African American school, social halls, small grocery stores and restaurants. Many residents worked in the citrus industry, but others were restaurant owners, business professionals, educators, construction workers and domestic workers. Still others worked in local, state and federal government jobs. Pughsville produced Winter Haven's first African-American commissioner, medical doctor, mayor, fire fighter and postal worker. The original Pughsville began to decline during the late 1970s as larger commercial establishments began arriving in the area, driving up property values.
Erected 2007 by the City of Winter Haven, the Polk County Commission and the
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Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-605.)
Location. 28° 0.453′ N, 81° 43.831′ W. Marker is in Winter Haven, Florida, in Polk County. Marker is at the intersection of Avenue O SW and 3rd Street SW (U.S. 17), on the right when traveling east on Avenue O SW. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 286 Avenue O SW, Winter Haven FL 33880, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Stanley and Terrie Howard, November 10, 2009
2. Historic Pughsville Neighborhood Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,745 times since then and 124 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 15, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
