Freedtown, Florida facts for kids
Freedtown (also known as Earnestville) was once a small community located in Pasco County, Florida. It was found just south of a place called Buddy Lake. This town was special because it was a "freedtown," which means it was mainly a home for freed people.
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What Was Freedtown?
Freedtown was a community where many people who had been enslaved found a new home. After the American Civil War, many formerly enslaved people, known as freedmen, sought places to build their own lives. They created towns and communities like Freedtown.
A Home for Freed People
A "freedtown" was a settlement built by and for freedmen. These towns allowed people to live freely and build their own homes, schools, and businesses. They could create a new life for themselves and their families.
The Founding of Freedtown
This community was established in the 1800s, sometime before December 1886. It became a place where people could start fresh. They worked hard to build a life in Pasco County, Florida.
Life in the Community
While we don't have many details about daily life in Freedtown, we know it was a place of new beginnings. Residents likely farmed, built homes, and supported each other. It was a chance for them to create their own future.
The End of Freedtown
Freedtown slowly disappeared after a very cold event called the Great Freeze of 1894–1895. This freeze caused a lot of damage to Florida's crops, especially citrus. Many people had to leave their homes to find work elsewhere.
Remembering Freedtown Today
Today, none of Freedtown's original buildings or its cemetery remain. However, the community is not forgotten. In 2004, the Pasco Board of County Commissioners and the Pasco County Historical Preservation Committee placed a special marker. This historical marker is at the corner of Fort King Road and Bozeman Road. It tells people that the former community of Freedtown was about a mile west of that spot. It helps us remember this important part of Florida's history.
