EATONVILLE, Fla. — Eatonville has been officially recognized as one of America’s 11 most endangered historic places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Local officials say this recognition highlights the need for protection to stop the increasing pressure of outside development.

What You Need To Know

  • Eatonville has been recognized as one of America’s 11 most endangered historic places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation

  • Local officials say this recognition highlights the need for protection to stop the increasing pressure of outside development

  • Town officials want to tap into the 70 million visitors to Orange County and make Eatonville a destination

  • Restaurant owner Jenn Ross says Eatonville’s historic standing is good for the town

Eatonville is notable as being one of the oldest all-Black municipalities in the country, but some local officials say that heritage is in danger.

Mayor Angie Gardner says Eatonville is “on the endangered species list.”

Town leaders, and the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community (P.E.C.) held a press conference on Wednesday to tout the ranking and the importance of national recognition for the town.

“So, we celebrate our cultural heritage, our current existence and our journey to fight against gentrification, big development and loss of land,” said Gardner.

Outside development has been a major concern for officials who want to preserve the historic past.

“I want to acknowledge the mission that is to preserve and bring economic prosperity to the town of Eatonville,” said N.Y. Nathiri, executive director of the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts.

Business owner Jenn Ross and member of the P.E.C. was present for Wednesday’s meeting.

Ross owns Dajen Eats, a Jamaican themed eatery in Eatonville and believes the town is headed in the right direction in making the area a destination for visitors to central Florida.

“When we had the opportunity to come to the nation's all-black municipality, all the stars align, and we looked nowhere else, and we ended up here. And we have been here for five years,” said Ross. “I think with more positive press and with the understanding of what the community actually provides and what it’s about, that gives us the opportunity to have more people coming in.”

Town officials want to tap into the 70 million visitors to Orange County and make Eatonville a favorite stop.

A proposed Black history museum, a state project that is being considered in three Florida communities, including Eatonville, is currently in the hands of a task force that will determine its permanent location.

Leaders stated that the museum would bring much needed recognition and visitors to the area and a decision on its location should be made sometime in July.