Butler Beach

In 1927, Lincolnville businessman Frank B. Butler bought land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River, which he developed into Butler Beach. For many years this was the only beach that African Americans were allowed to use between Jacksonville ...

Old Central Academy High School

Established in 1892, Central Academy became the first accredited Negro high school in Florida in 1924. The first Central Academy building was destroyed by fire in 1936. The present building replaced it in 1937 and now serves as the County ...

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church - Palatka

The residents of the community of Newtown organized the Bethel AME church in 1866. This Romanesque Revival style building was constructed by the congregation circa 1908-1912.

Information provided by Florida Department of State.

Photo courtesy of Fish Ministries.

Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church

The traditional site for free Blacks, Indians, Spanish Indians and Mulattoes, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church served as the rallying place for the African American community in Nassau County. The original church was built in 1870, burned in 1920 and ...

Macedonia African Methodist Episcopal Church

Organized in 1872 from the Prayer Band started some years earlier by Samuel Irving, Macedonia AME Church was originally located on the corner of Seventh and Beech Streets. The Congregation moved into its newly built sanctuary in 1899. The bell ...

American Beach

The American Beach historic district is at the south end of Amelia Island. In 1935, A.L. Lewis, president of The Pension Bureau of the Afro-American Life Insurance Company bought 33 acres of oceanfront property. Company employees were invited to use ...

African American Cultural Center

Built in 2001, the center provides office, classroom, and reference library facilities.

Information provided by Florida Department of State.

Old Stanton High School (Private)

The Trustees of Florida Institute established Stanton High School in 1868 as the first public black school in Jacksonville. It was named for Edwin M. Stanton, an outspoken abolitionist and Secretary of War under Abraham Lincoln. This masonry vernacular-style structure, ...

Old Jacksonville Beach Elementary School

Mother Rhoda Martin founded the Jacksonville Beach Elementary School for Colored People. In 1939 the county built a four-room brick school structure, which also served as a community center, well-baby clinic and recreational area for the community. The building was ...

National Historic Landmark-Emma Willard House

National Historical Landmark-Emma Willard House

This two-story brick structure was from 1809 until 1819 the home of Emma Hart Willard, an influential pioneer in the development of women's education in the United States.

It is now used as the admissions office ...