The History of Eatonville
Kenyatta Chukes Chukes1
Prof. Russo
English 1101
July 10, 2011
The History Of Eatonville, Florida
Back in the 1880’s, after the civil war had ended, blacks wanted to establish their own foundation for themselves and their families. A lot of them really didn’t want to move to white towns, so they developed their own independent communities that were called “race colonies”. Also during this time a lot of families migrated to the Central Florida area looking for work and land to call their own. In 1882, businessman Joseph C. Clarke bought 110 acres of land from Josiah C. Eaton, which at that time was the mayor of Maitland, Florida, a small town just outside of Orlando. With this land, and 2 more acres donated, black men started developing and building a town. By 1887 things were coming together. On August 15, 1887, 27 black registered voters, all men, met and voted to incorporate the town of Eatonville, named after the original owner of the land. Eatonville is known for its rich history in arts, literature, and culture. A lot of that admiration is due to Zora Neale Hurston. Zora Neale Hurston was born January 7, 1891 in Notasulga, Alabama. She quickly moved to Eatonville with her family as an infant. Ms. Hurston is best known for her work in literature and arts (having Chukes2 often collaborated with the great Langston Hughes), and would quickly tell anyone that her inspiration came from her home town of Eatonville. Hurston once described Eatonville as, “a city of five lakes, three croquet courts, three hundred brown skins, three hundred good swimmers, plenty guavas, two schools and no jailhouse”. Zora Neale eventually achieved great success up until the 1950’s as she faded off
Prof. Russo
English 1101
July 10, 2011
The History Of Eatonville, Florida
Back in the 1880’s, after the civil war had ended, blacks wanted to establish their own foundation for themselves and their families. A lot of them really didn’t want to move to white towns, so they developed their own independent communities that were called “race colonies”. Also during this time a lot of families migrated to the Central Florida area looking for work and land to call their own. In 1882, businessman Joseph C. Clarke bought 110 acres of land from Josiah C. Eaton, which at that time was the mayor of Maitland, Florida, a small town just outside of Orlando. With this land, and 2 more acres donated, black men started developing and building a town. By 1887 things were coming together. On August 15, 1887, 27 black registered voters, all men, met and voted to incorporate the town of Eatonville, named after the original owner of the land. Eatonville is known for its rich history in arts, literature, and culture. A lot of that admiration is due to Zora Neale Hurston. Zora Neale Hurston was born January 7, 1891 in Notasulga, Alabama. She quickly moved to Eatonville with her family as an infant. Ms. Hurston is best known for her work in literature and arts (having Chukes2 often collaborated with the great Langston Hughes), and would quickly tell anyone that her inspiration came from her home town of Eatonville. Hurston once described Eatonville as, “a city of five lakes, three croquet courts, three hundred brown skins, three hundred good swimmers, plenty guavas, two schools and no jailhouse”. Zora Neale eventually achieved great success up until the 1950’s as she faded off