Lincolnville, a Historic Community in St. Augustine

By Angela Spears, First Coast News

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL -- St. Augustine is the oldest city in the nation. It's also home to a neighborhood called Lincolnville. It was established at the end of the Civil War. Lincolnville was home to freed slaves who had no where to go.There is a lot of history in the historic community. It was once called "Little Africa" and the Harlem of the South. It starts at Bridge Street and runs south to South Street. Lincolnville is about 100 square blocks. City Commissioner Errol Jones grew up in the area. He says he's seen lots of changes over the years. There's been a push to revitalize the area. Jones says it's a double-edged sword. He says some people want the revitalization.

They are coming in and rehabbing old homes. But at the same time, Jones says because of this growth, some of the older African American community members are leaving. Jones describes Lincolnville as a community in transition. One thing many people agree on is saving the Echo House. It's an old home that many want to make into a community learning center. It's also been the site of filming for the movie "Things That Hang From Trees."Lincolnville was the hub of the Civil Rights Movement. The late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stayed in a couple of homes in the area. Protestors often gathered for rallies on King Avenue. The stories go on and on about historic Lincolnville. For more information, click on the link above.

Source: http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=35330