Fort Gadsden, ‘Negro Fort’ history buried in Apalachicola National Forest
One of Florida’s least accessible historic sites, Fort Gadsden, also known as “The Negro Fort”, is a tale of war — and the deadliest cannonball in American history.
6 fascinating Florida Black history destinations
February is Black History Month, and Florida Black history is rich in its heritage. Join writer Doug Lyons as he follows a fascinating trail of historic markers to tell these poignant stories.
Once the ‘colored beach,’ state park honors civil rights leaders
The outstanding beach known as John U. Lloyd State Park is being renamed to honor Fort Lauderdale civil rights leaders Von D. Mizell and Eula Johnson.
‘Saltwater Railroad’ had its roots on popular Florida beach
They met on South Florida’s beaches apprehensively, seeking flight to a better life in the Bahamas. If they were fortunate, they would haggle a fair price and board a boat bound for Andros Island.
The Legend of Black Caesar still haunts the Florida Keys
Black Caesar is an elusive character, a pirate of some renown who roamed the Florida Keys, or so goes the legend. We explore his lair, and so can you!
Higgs Beach: African memorial speaks to Key West’s cultural heart
Experts believe Higgs Beach in Key West is the site of the only African refugee cemetery in the United States.
Historic re-enactment celebrates North America’s first free black settlement
The village near St. Augustine was created in 1738 — 37 years before the first shots were fired in the Revolutionary War. Fort Mose (pronounced “Moh-say”) would become an asylum for runaway slaves from the Carolinas and Georgia who sought refuge from slavery in the British colonies.
