Lincolnville Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lincolnville Historic District
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House in the district
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | St. Augustine, Florida United States |
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| Area | 1,400 acres (5.7 km2) |
| NRHP reference No. | 91000979 |
| Added to NRHP | November 29, 1991 |
The Lincolnville Historic District is a special area in St. Augustine, Florida. It was started by freed people after the American Civil War. This district is on a peninsula in the southwest part of St. Augustine. St. Augustine is known as the "nation's oldest city."
In 1991, Lincolnville became a historic district. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important place to protect. The district originally had 548 historic buildings. It is located between Cedar, Riberia, Cerro, Washington streets, and DeSoto Place.
Later, many African Americans moved out of Lincolnville. They went to newer homes in the suburbs. This was a common trend after World War II. In the 1990s, St. Augustine tore down many old buildings in Lincolnville. This reduced the number of historic homes. Even now, the city sometimes wants to remove more buildings. This is to make way for new developments.
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Lincolnville's Early History
This community began in 1866, right after the American Civil War. Freed people like Peter Sanks and Matilda Papy leased land. They paid just $1.00 a year. This land was on the west bank of Maria Sanchez Creek. It was across from the main part of St. Augustine.
The rest of this peninsula had two large orange farms. One was called "Yalaha" (a Seminole word for orange). The other was "Buena Esperanza" (Spanish for "Good Hope").
The freed people first called their new settlement Africa, or Little Africa. Streets were laid out in 1878. Then, the area became known as Lincolnville. This name might have come from John Hay. He was Abraham Lincoln's private secretary. Hay owned an orange grove in the area.
Over time, the settlement grew. Business people developed the whole peninsula. Lincolnville had narrow streets and small lots. Houses were built close to the street. This was similar to the old St. Augustine style.
How Lincolnville Changed
In the 1880s, a rich businessman named Henry Flagler came to St. Augustine. He was a partner in Standard Oil. Flagler wanted to turn the city into a fancy resort. His plans also changed Lincolnville.
He filled in the northern part of Maria Sanchez Creek. This created higher ground for new buildings. His partner, William Warden, dug out the southern part of the creek. This created Maria Sanchez Lake. This lake expanded Lincolnville's eastern border.
The Ponce de Leon Barracks became a major building in the district. It housed African-American workers. These workers served at Flagler's hotels.
Baseball and Civil Rights
Some African-American waiters from Flagler's hotels formed a baseball team. They were the first professional Black baseball team in the United States. When they played in St. Augustine, they were the Ponce de Leon Giants. When they played in the North, they were the Cuban Giants.
One player, Frank Grant, later joined the Baseball Hall of Fame. The famous writer James Weldon Johnson wrote about this team. He mentioned them in his book Along This Way.
In the 1940s, the Barracks building became the Lakeside Apartments. But due to segregation laws, only white people could live there. Today, the building has been updated into condominiums.
During the Civil Rights Movement, Lincolnville was a key place. Activists worked there to end racial segregation. They wanted schools and public places to be open to everyone. (You can learn more about this in the St. Augustine movement article.)
Local activists faced violence. In 1964, they asked Martin Luther King Jr. for help. He led the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Rev. King and other activists came to St. Augustine. They joined non-violent protests. Many people were arrested. Their struggle brought national attention. This helped Congress pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Protecting Lincolnville's History
After segregation ended, some African Americans moved to new suburban homes. This was a common trend across the country. The population in Lincolnville decreased. However, the city wanted to honor its rich history.
In 1991, the Lincolnville Historic District was officially recognized. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The district included 548 historic buildings. It was bounded by Cedar, Riberia, Cerro, and Washington streets, and DeSoto Place.
At the same time, many people moved to Florida. The city of St. Augustine allowed some old buildings to be torn down. This was to make way for new housing. Many historic buildings were lost. Even today, there is pressure to redevelop the area. New developments can bring higher profits.
Images for kids
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Excerpt from 1885 birdseye view of St. Augustine, Florida, depicting the Lincolnville neighborhood
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Photograph from Emancipation Day in Lincolnville by Richard Twine
