Tarpon Springs, Florida (Paperback)

Sandra Rooks

ISBN 10: 0738515973 / ISBN 13: 9780738515977

Published by Arcadia Publishing (SC), 2003

About this Item

Paperback. African Americans originally came to Tarpon Springs in the mid-1880s to work in the lumber mills. In the 1890s, a number of sponge divers arrived from the Bahamas and Key West to harvest and prepare the wealth of sponges found in the Gulf of Mexico at the mouth of the Anclote River. Devoutly religious, these pioneers founded the African American Episcopal Church in 1887 and the Baptist Church in 1892. Union Academy School, the first African-American school in Tarpon Springs, was established in the early 1900s. The dedicated work ethic of early African-American settlers continues today. Many of their descendants serve as educators, politicians, and ministers. African Americans originally came to Tarpon Springs in the mid-1880s to work in the lumber mills. In the 1890s, a number of sponge divers arrived from the Bahamas and Key West to harvest and prepare the wealth of sponges found in the Gulf of Mexico at the mouth of the Anclote River. Devoutly religious, these pioneers founded the African American Episcopal Church in 1887 and the Baptist Church in 1892. Union Academy School, the first African-American school in Tarpon Springs, was established in the early 1900s. The dedicated work ethic of early African-American settlers continues today. Many of their descendants serve as educators, politicians, and ministers. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780738515977

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Tarpon Springs, Florida (Paperback)
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (SC)
• Publication Date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0738515973
• ISBN 13: 9780738515977
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

African Americans originally came to Tarpon Springs in the mid-1880s to work in the lumber mills. In the 1890s, a number of sponge divers arrived from the Bahamas and Key West to harvest and prepare the wealth of sponges found in the Gulf of Mexico at the mouth of the Anclote River. Devoutly religious, these pioneers founded the African American Episcopal Church in 1887 and the Baptist Church in 1892. Union Academy School, the first African-American school in Tarpon Springs, was established in the early 1900s. The dedicated work ethic of early African-American settlers continues today. Many of their descendants serve as educators, politicians, and ministers.

About the Author

Once again, Sandra W. Rooks captures the journey of African Americans in Florida. She is a retired educator and co-founder of the Pinellas County African American History Museum and the Florida African American Heritage Celebration. Joining her is Carol Mountain, vice president of the Tarpon Springs Area Historical Society.