Juneteenth holds a unique significance in the fields near Plant City. A story of resilience, hope, and the unshakeable dream of freedom unfolded in this corner of pioneer Florida.
Black History
Black history isn’t just about slavery and struggle, though those are crucial parts of the story. It’s a rich tapestry woven from the fight for equality, the triumphs of Black leaders and everyday people, and the ongoing pursuit of social justice. Understanding this history helps us confront present-day issues, celebrate Black achievement in every field, and build a more inclusive future.
Juneteenth in Bealsville: Freedom’s Fertile Ground
Harry T. Moore: Champion of Justice
Transcript Harry T. Moore: A champion for justice. Meet Harry Tyson Moore, Florida's forgotten hero of the Civil Rights Movement. Harry was born in 1905 near Live Oak, Florida. He graduated from Bethune Cookman, where he met his wife Harriet....
Early Settlers of Snow Hill / Kolokee
Nestled in rural Seminole County, next to the Little Big Econ State Forest, Snow Hill's identity hangs on by a thread. A few dozen homes and a green highway sign provide the only indication of the community's long history. Early...
East Altamonte Clings to its Heritage
Against all odds, East Altamonte has persisted for over 130 years. The historically black community is surrounded by valuable real estate and three land-hungry municipalities. “In 20 years, Winwood will not exist,” Alcee Hastings, the community’s most famous son, said...
Mary Toney was a bus driver turned six-term politician
Mary Toney was born in 1933 and moved to Sebring as a toddler. She graduated from E. O. Douglas High School in Sebring, class of 1951. At 48, she worked as a school bus driver and decided to run for...
Avon Park City Council Throws Out All Black Votes in 1951 Election
The good old boy system of Avon Park was shaken to its core in 1949. That September, five out of six incumbents were voted out of office. Among the newly-elected was young Wiley Sauls, who was just 21. The story...
What happened at N*****town Knoll?
Until the 1990s, this offensively named settlement appeared on Florida maps, but its origins were lost. Until now. Warning: This article contains offensive racial slurs for historical and academic purposes. It will be kept to a minimum, but reader discretion is...
Lynched in Longwood: The Brutal Killing of John West
Despite being acquitted by the court, an angry white mob took matters into their own hands in 1925 Seminole County.
Southern States Feared Negro Domination
Nothing was more terrifying to wealthy landowners in the post-Confederate South than an empowered black electorate. The suffrage of the previously subjugated class could easily disrupt their monopoly on Southern politics. The 15th Amendment, in theory, guaranteed the right to...
The Illusion of Freedom: African Americans in 1890s Florida
Despite being granted their freedom some thirty years prior, freed slaves in turn of the century Florida were still barely unshackled. Being set free (13th Amendment), granted equal citizenship (14th Amendment), and given the right to vote (15th Amendment) didn’t...