As a member of the Florida Main Street and National Main Program, Eatonville Main Street works to implement the Four Point Approach by using the following strategies:
As a member of the Florida Main Street and National Main Program, Eatonville Main Street works to implement the Four Point Approach by using the following strategies:
The Town of Eatonville oldest standing building dated back to the 1940s. Received notoriety in the "Green Book". One of Central Florida's known Chitlin Circuit venues. which featured James Brown, Cab Calloway,, Etta James, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, BB King, Joe Text, and many more Rock n Roll Hall of Famers. T
The Town of Eatonville oldest standing building dated back to the 1940s. Received notoriety in the "Green Book". One of Central Florida's known Chitlin Circuit venues. which featured James Brown, Cab Calloway,, Etta James, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, BB King, Joe Text, and many more Rock n Roll Hall of Famers. The club was remodeled and reopened as Heroes Nightclub. Wayne Freeman operated the club as Heroes Nightclub and Club K.O.H.A. through the early 2010s. Closed today, the building was the recent recipient of a $1 million Division of Historical Resources African American Cultural and Historical (AACH) grant for restoration. The Town of Eatonville was home to multiple Chitlin Circuit venues like the B.J. Beer Parlor operated at 308 East Kennedy Boulevard from 1961-1966. It was owned by Effie James. In 1975, Effie James and Bessie Mac Pender operated the beer parlor as Big Joy Beer Parlor. By 1975, the Pool Room was Frankie’s Pool Room. James Steele built the Green Lantern Tavern.. Steele’s goal in 1935 was to have a small but legitimate entertainment venue. (Otey, 1989) Steele operated the Tavern until 1947. E.L. Bing operated the Tavern until 1951. By 1959, the site became the Blue Lantern Restaurant, operated by Jeffrey Cunningham until 1966. ) Operation as a restaurant continued until 1980 when it became a grocery store. 429 East Kennedy Boulevard was home to the B&B Barbecue Inn, owned by Ben E. and Broxie Smith. It is connected to what was the Smith’s Eatonville Motel, both in operation by the Smiths from 1966-1975. (Polk, Orlando City Directory) Smith’s Eatonville Motel was owned by E.L. and Harry Bing during the 1980s. Today the motel operates as
housing, and the former restaurant is vacant.
Eatonville Main Street program supports and host several special events throughout the year. These events serves as both a fundraising model and a economic development tool for the the community. events like Beer, Blues & Barbeque, Xmas on the Blvd, Chill in the Ville and Southern Soul Sunday severe as catalyst for attracting visitors fro
Eatonville Main Street program supports and host several special events throughout the year. These events serves as both a fundraising model and a economic development tool for the the community. events like Beer, Blues & Barbeque, Xmas on the Blvd, Chill in the Ville and Southern Soul Sunday severe as catalyst for attracting visitors from around the State of Florida. As part of the Florida Chitlin Group, Eatonville Main Street Program seeks to highlight the rich cultural heritage significance African Americans played in shaping the entertainment arts culture. Each founding member will play host to what will become a national celebration paying homage to some of the great African American Rock N Roll hall a famers.
Florida Trust for Historic Preservation Announces 2020 Florida’s 11 to Save historic districts and properties. Each year, the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation announces its 11 to Save program as part of its conference. The program is designed to increase the public’s awareness of the urgent need to save Florida’s historic resources, and to empower local preservationists and preservation groups in their efforts to preserve Florida’s rich history. A Florida Main Street community, Eatonville is historically significant for being one of the first self-governing all-Black municipalities in the United States. The town was named after Josiah C. Eaton, one of a small group of white landowners who were willing to sell sufficient land to African Americans to incorporate as a Black town on August 15, 1887.
Containing 48 historic buildings at the time, the Eatonville Historic District was designated and added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 3, 1998. Many of its properties are related to its most famous former resident, Zora Neale Hurston. Hurston was a noted writer, folklorist, and anthropologist associated with the Harlem Renaissance.
"Town that Freedom Built" is just a slogan but a passionate embrace of significance which is black history and cultural survival
The Preserve Eatonville Community no-for-profit serves as host to the nationally recognized Zora Fest, which is a celebration of Eatonville own Zora Neale Hurston and her literary contributions to the world and highlighting present day arts in humanity.
Experience Eatonville is a testimony to perseverance of African Americans from 1887 to present. The oldest African American Incorporated Municipality in the United States still self governed by African Americans.
Eatonville Main Street is devoted to developing and maintaining a healthy, viable downtown commercial district symbolic of community caring, and the high quality of life available to residents and visitors alike while promoting and preserving our historic community,
Eatonville Main Street will continue to grow develop as a result of continued support from our volunteers, local businesses, partnering organizations and our Sponsors, who all share a belief that a strong downtown is an essential component to the integrity of a community.
Florida Community Corporation
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