EATONVILLE—Keeping Our History Alive!
This isn’t just a random inscription on a building in Eatonville. It’s a profound statement that encapsulates what this beautiful town represents.
Eatonville may appear small and unassuming, but it is steeped in rich history. Like a peacock flaunting its feathers, the town is adorned with plaques and monuments showcasing its remarkable legacy.
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Incorporated on Aug. 15, 1887, Eatonville, located in Orange County, Florida six miles north of Orlando, is the first and oldest African American town in the United States.
The town has a population of about 2,265 and covers a total area of 1.1 square miles. It is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. Although primarily a residential community, Eatonville also has a small number of businesses, churches, government offices, and schools along its main thoroughfare, Kennedy Boulevard.
Eatonville’s founding was special, occurring during a time when municipal organization was challenging for African Americans, partly due to lack of funds and resources. In the 1870s, Central Florida saw intense land purchases and settlement activity. However, acquiring land was especially difficult for African Americans.
Despite these challenges, black settlers were determined to establish and incorporate a town of their own. In 1882, two white men, Josiah C. Eaton and Lewis Lawrence, offered to sell a large tract of land one mile west of Lake Maitland to black men, providing a rare opportunity.
Eatonville was named after Josiah C. Eaton, who sold the land to Joseph E. Clarke. Clarke’s vision of building a city for freed slaves and other people of color finally came to fruition. In August 1887, after a unanimous vote by 27 African American men, Eatonville officially became the first all-Black town in the United States. Clarke became the town’s founding father and its second mayor.
The rich history of Eatonville cannot be told without mentioning Zora Neale Hurston. Known as “Eatonville’s daughter,” the internationally acclaimed anthropologist and writer is best known for her novel, “Their Eyes Were Watching God.”
She grew up in Eatonville, a town that greatly influenced her work. The annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities honors her contributions and celebrates the cultural heritage of people of African ancestry.
Other notable people from Eatonville include Ha’Sean Treshon “Ha Ha” Clinton-Dix, the Director of Player Development for the Alabama Crimson Tide and former professional football player; actor and singer Norm Lewis; and NFL defensive legend David “Deacon” Jones.
During the Civil Rights Movement, Eatonville played a crucial role in the fight for racial equality, providing a foundation for activism due to its history of self-governance.
Among the many things that make Eatonville special, it is the spirit of its residents that keeps its history and heritage alive—a legacy of racial progress and success. Eatonville demonstrates what African Americans can achieve in political, social, and economic endeavors, contrary to what Southern whites once claimed was impossible.
Today, Eatonville stands as a testament to the resilience and cultural pride of Black people. It serves as a constant reminder that, as a community, we can rise again. “Yes, we can!”
Many African-Americans have since risen through the ranks, walked the corridors of power, and achieved remarkable feats across various fields. Eatonville, the town that freedom built, remains a beacon of pride and limitless possibilities for Black people worldwide.
