Frank B. Butler

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Frank B. Butler (1885–1973) was an American businessman who established a beach resort for African Americans during the segregation era. He worked in Fernandina Beach, St. Augustine, and then St. Augustine's Lincolnville neighborhood where he established his own market as well as a real estate business.[1] He acquired land on Anastasia Island stretching between the Atlantic Ocean and Matanzas River where he established a beach area resort open to African Americans. The Tampa Times reported it to be the only beach open to them between Jacksonville area and Daytona Beach during segregation. It became known as Butler Beach.[2] The unincorporated community and a park in it are named for him.

In Lincolnville he ran the Palace Market next to his home at 87 Washington Street. Both structures have remained in existence.[1]

Map showing unincorporated community of Butler Beach in St. Johns County, Florida
Butler Beach

Butler was born in Du Pont, Georgia in 1885. He moved to Fernandina Beach in 1902 and worked for a Mr. Salvador who moved to St. Augustine and opened a fish market. Butler worked for him and as a butcher in Snyder’s Market.[2]

Martin Luther King Jr. was staying at the resort when violent confrontations broke out miles away in St. Augustine as white beachgoers objected to African Americans visiting the area's beaches. Martin Luther King was photographed at 5480 Atlantic View by a cottage he was supposed to stay where a bullet hole left a mark.[1]

Towards the end of his life Butler donated his land for the establishment of a state park for African Americans. After his death, the state turned it over to the county. Frank Butler County Park in the area is named for him.[3] It is divided into east and west sections separated by roadway.

The Florida Archives have a photo of his home on Anastasia Island.[4] Staugustine.com ran a feature on Butler and his resort accompanied by a photo of visitors in front of the Butler Beach Bath House.[5]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Civil Rights & Butler Beach | St. Augustine & Ponte Vedra, FL". St. Augustine & Ponte Vedra, FL.
  2. ^ a b "Frank B. Butler - St Augustine Historical Society". February 24, 2020.
  3. ^ "Frank B. Butler County Park | Visit St. Augustine". Visit St Augustine.
  4. ^ https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/34852
  5. ^ DEAD LINK, can't find archived version: https://www.staugustine.com/4388333001

Further reading[]

  • Frank B. Butler : Lincolnville businessman and founder of St. Augustine, Florida's historic black beach by Barbara Hunter Walch, published by R.B. Hadley, Sr., St. Augustine, Florida (1992)

External links[]

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