Eatonville, Historic African American town in Orange County, Florida.
Eatonville is a residential town in Orange County, Florida, situated about 9 miles (14 kilometers) north of Orlando with homes and local shops throughout. The community includes schools, library services, and civic buildings that serve residents daily.
Founded in 1887, the town ranks among the first self-governed African American communities in the United States following emancipation. This establishment allowed African Americans to manage their own affairs independently during a restrictive period.
The annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival of Arts and Humanities occurs in winter and honors the town's connection to one of its most renowned former residents. The event brings together people interested in African American culture and literary traditions.
The Eatonville Branch Library on Kennedy Boulevard offers computer access and educational programs and serves as a helpful resource for visiting. The library operates on weekdays, making mornings and afternoons the most convenient times to visit.
The historic district contains 48 buildings that document African American life and development from the late 1800s onward. This collection of structures offers a rare record of how the community physically expanded and changed over generations.
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