aug 15, 1887 - Eatonville, Florida

Description:

The first all black city in Florida, established after the Civil war. Joseph C. Clarke (former slave) and Lewis Lawrence (northern philanthropist) bought over a hundred acres of land from Josiah Eaton ( a white landowner willing to sell to African Americans). On August 15th 1887, the town was officially incorporated when twenty-seven registered black voters indicated their intention to create a municipality (city, town, district). They then named the town in honor of Josiah Eaton who eventually also served as its mayor.