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(above): Overtown Blacksmith Frank Williams and Family. Glenda Williams Collection.

 

Only about ten African American families lived in Sarasota’s vicinity near the turn of the century. Overtown residents arrived in search of employment opportunities. Some black workers were recruited by men who traveled rural Florida and nearby southern states looking for laborers to build new cities such as Sarasota.

Black labor built roads, buildings, bridges and the railroad in the growing fishing village. Sometimes the head of a household came first, found work, settled in, then other family members followed.

Overtown’s population grew.

Overtown was thriving with small, wood frame residences and businesses according to the 1913 Sanborn Fire Insurance map.

African Americans opened businesses out of necessity. No services were offered outside of Overtown’s boundaries at white-owned businesses because of Jim Crow policies.

(above): Fred Barber at the Ace Theater. Courtesy Jetson Grimes Collection.

The 1916 Sarasota City Directory of Overtown businesses listed:

  • Royal Palm Pressing Club
  • William Green’s Restaurant
  • The Sarasota Shoe Shop
  • Wright Bush Merchandise and Grocery
  • Toney Colson’s Fish Market
  • White Star Pressing Club
  • Washington & Roberts Cold Drinks
  • McQueen’s Grocery
  • Tom and Annie Mason’s Café
  • Sarasota Ice and Electric Company
  • Blacksmith Frank Williams

The 1920s Florida land boom brought prosperity to Sarasota residents that trickled down to laborers in the African American community.

Overtown’s population continued to rise.

The heartbeat of the community was located at the corner of Central Avenue and today’s Sixth Street. New churches, hotels, an outside movie theater, lunch rooms, meat and fish markets, grocery and general merchandise stores, pressing clubs, and a variety of businesses, many black-owned provided goods and services to the African American community.

(above): Colson Hotel. Courtesy Sarasota Historical Resources.

In 2002, Overtown was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The application listed more local businesses:

  • Airdome Theater
  • New West Florida Ice Company Ice House

(above): New West Florida Ice Company Ice House.

 

  • Colson Hotel
  • Chicago Flats
  • Elmo Newtown guest house
  • Annie Carmichael
  • Dorothy and Florence Thomas Beauty Salon
(above): Dorothy and Florence Thomas Beauty Salon in Overtown. It was sold and demolished. Courtesy Kacey Troupe Collection.

 

 

  • Mays Family Grocery Store
  • Red Light Pressing Club
  • Manhattan Restaurant and Lounge
  • Clyburn’s Bar
  • Twelfth Street Pool Room
  • Capricorn Lounge II
(above): Capricorn II owned by Horace and Willie Mae Sheffield.
Courtesy Kacey Troupe.

 

 

  • Savoy Lounge
  • Elam Cabs
  • Texas Caps
  • Holton’s Funeral Home
  • Malcom’s Seamstress Shop
  • Willis Mays grocery
  • Elite Pressing Club
  • Hurrikleen Pressing Club
  • Superior Printing Company
  • Sarasota Ice Cream Company, lunch counters such as one owned Samuel Albright lunch counter
  • Community Service Filling Station
  • Kluver & Cladin Billiards
  • Rolfe’s Dry Goods
  • The Leader Department Store
  • The businesses provided job opportunities for Overtown residents.
(above): Horne’s Grocery Store. Courtesy Kacey Troupe Collection.