Baldwin, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Baldwin, Florida
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| Town of Baldwin | |
From top, left to right: Baldwin Town Hall, Water tower, William Coleman House, Larry M. Carroll Memorial Park, Old Jail, First Baptist Church
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Location of Baldwin in Duval County, Florida.
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 Baldwin, Florida
Location in Florida
Baldwin, Florida
Location in the United States
Baldwin, Florida
Location in North America
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| County | Duval |
| Settled (Thigpen) | 1835-1860 |
| Incorporated (Town of Baldwin) |
1876 |
| Reincorporated (Town of Baldwin) |
May 22, 1913 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.02 sq mi (5.24 km2) |
| • Land | 2.02 sq mi (5.23 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 85 ft (26 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,396 |
| • Density | 690.75/sq mi (266.70/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
32234
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| Area code(s) | 904, 324 |
| FIPS code | 12-03250 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0278061 |
| Website | Town of Baldwin |
Baldwin is a small town in Duval County, Florida, United States. It's close to the bigger city of Jacksonville. In 1968, most communities in Duval County joined Jacksonville. But Baldwin, along with Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Neptune Beach, stayed partly independent.
Baldwin has its own local government. However, its residents vote in Jacksonville's mayoral and city council elections. Unlike some other towns, Baldwin no longer has its own police force. In 2020, about 1,396 people lived in Baldwin. It is part of the larger Jacksonville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Contents
History of Baldwin
The area now known as Baldwin was first settled around 1846. It was originally called Thigpen. A man named Mr. Thigpen opened a tavern there. This tavern helped people traveling by stagecoach. He provided horses for the stagecoaches and offered food and shelter to passengers.
Railroads and a New Name
The first railroad was built through Thigpen in 1857. Another railroad crossed it in 1859. The town's name was later changed to Baldwin. This was to honor Abel Seymour Baldwin. He was the president of the Florida, Atlantic and Gulf Central Railroad. This railroad connected Lake City to Jacksonville. As Baldwin grew, a telegraph line was also set up between Jacksonville and Baldwin.
Baldwin During the Civil War
During the Civil War, soldiers from the North took control of Baldwin in early 1864. Reports from that time said that the people living in Baldwin were very poor.
On August 10, 1864, a small fight happened near Baldwin. It was between Southern cavalry and the 102nd Regiment United States Colored Troops. Union soldiers also destroyed a part of the railroad tracks. Two days later, Union troops from Baldwin were sent out to push back the Southern forces. During this, one Union soldier died, and four were captured. After these events, Union soldiers burned Baldwin down. From 1865 to 1875, the town was rebuilt. Its population grew to 250 people.
Schools in Baldwin
In 1947, the main school building for white students burned down. There was no fire department to stop the fire, so the building was completely lost. Students had to attend classes in different public places. These included churches and the town hall. Later, old army buildings from Camp Blanding were moved to the school site. Students used these buildings for about two years while a new school was being built.
There was also a school for Black students. It was located near an old ice plant that served the railroad. This school was used for many years, even after the new school for white students was built.
In 1948, a Florida state law said new schools needed at least 10 acres (about 40,000 square meters) of land. The old school property was too small. So, a new site on Mill Street was chosen. A new school, costing $50,000, was built there in 1948 and 1949. An auditorium was added in 1950. At that time, 365 students attended the school. A music room was added in 1964.
In 1965, Baldwin Middle-Senior High School became the first school in Duval County to welcome students of all races.
Geography and Climate
Baldwin is located at about 30.303788 degrees North and -81.975029 degrees West. The town covers a total area of about 2.02 square miles (5.3 square kilometers). Almost all of this area is land.
Climate in Baldwin
Baldwin has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, humid summers. The winters are generally mild.
Population of Baldwin
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 470 | — | |
| 1930 | 749 | 59.4% | |
| 1940 | 1,002 | 33.8% | |
| 1950 | 1,048 | 4.6% | |
| 1960 | 1,272 | 21.4% | |
| 1970 | 1,408 | 10.7% | |
| 1980 | 1,526 | 8.4% | |
| 1990 | 1,450 | −5.0% | |
| 2000 | 1,634 | 12.7% | |
| 2010 | 1,425 | −12.8% | |
| 2020 | 1,396 | −2.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2013 Estimate |
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The population of Baldwin has changed over the years. In 2010, there were 1,425 people living in the town. By 2020, the population had slightly decreased to 1,396 people.
Who Lives in Baldwin?
| Race | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
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| White (NH) | 1,030 | 938 | 72.28% | 67.19% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 307 | 308 | 21.54% | 22.06% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 3 | 4 | 0.21% | 0.29% |
| Asian (NH) | 4 | 0 | 0.28% | 0.00% |
| Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 0.07% |
| Some other race (NH) | 1 | 13 | 0.07% | 0.93% |
| Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) | 48 | 68 | 3.37% | 4.87% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 32 | 64 | 2.25% | 4.58% |
| Total | 1,425 | 1,396 |
In 2020, there were 1,396 people living in Baldwin. These people made up 588 households. Out of these, 391 were families.
Transportation in Baldwin
Baldwin is an important spot for railroads. It's where three different CSX railway lines meet. These are the Jacksonville Terminal Subdivision, the Wildwood Subdivision, and the Callahan Subdivision.
The Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad took over a major railway line from Pensacola to Baldwin in 2019. The CSX company still has rights to use this route.
No passenger trains currently stop in Baldwin. However, in the past, trains like Amtrak's Palmetto and the Sunset Limited used to serve the area. The Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail is a path built on an old railroad line. This line was no longer used by CSX after 1992.
Main Roads in Baldwin
Several major highways pass through or near Baldwin:
I-10
US 90
US 301
US 301 Byp.
Community and Education
As of 2019, there were eleven churches in the Baldwin area.
Schools in Baldwin
The public schools in Baldwin are managed by Duval County Public Schools. These include Mamie Agnes Jones Elementary School and Baldwin Middle-Senior High School.
See also
In Spanish: Baldwin (Florida) para niños
