What is the history of eatonville Florida?

Answer 1

Eatonville is the first incorporated black town in America. It was founded on December 24, 1886. It is a town in Orange County, Florida. It is six miles north of Orlando. In 1882, Joseph C. Clarke bought some land from Mayor Josiah C. Eaton. Clarke began selling lots to black families from Maitland and nearby Orlando and Water Park. On August 15 of 1887, 27 registered voters, all black men, voted to incorporate. Eatonville was a way for the black community to create its own culture and town, without having to deal with being the un-fair rules and acts of the white men. Part of the reason that Eatonville is so famous, is due to a famous author, Zora Neale Hurston. She was raised in a Baptist family and moved to Eatonville at the age of 3. Her father became mayor of Eatonville. Most of her novels were based on Eatonville as one of it's settings or place. She wrote several short stories and wrote 7 novels. She wrote one her most important novels in 1937, Their Eyes Were Watching God. Other famous residents of Eatonville are David "Deacon" Jones. He is a famous football player. Also, Jules Andre Smith did a series of painting depicting life in Eatonville during the 1930s and 1940s. Twelve of these works are at the Maitland Art Center in Eatonville. Eatonville today is mostly known for their annual showcase of arts, literature and culture. In late January it drew some 160,000 people to the tiny metropolis. The towns population in 2000 was only 2,432. The town of Eatonville is thought to be one of the oldest towns that was incorporated by only blacks between 1865 and 1900, though at least one other claims that status. Fewer then twelve remain.