1. It was one of the first all-black towns to be formed after the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and was incorporated on August 15, 1887. Zora Neale Hurston grew up there. Every winter, Eatonville stages its annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities and the Zora Neale Hurston Library opened in January 2004.
   
   
2. While sources seem to disagree on the exact date and even the year of the town's incorporation, the town's own official site provides a detailed account of the process and the dates. According to that official source, the town is named after Josiah C. Eaton, one of a small group of white landowners who were willing to sell sufficient land to African Americans to create a large enough tract of land to incorporate a black town. In addition to this, Hurston's novel Their Eyes Were Watching God presents a brief overview of the founding of the town through the eyes of Janie Crawford, the main character of the novel, and some suggest a cipher for Hurston herself. The novel also mentions several places in the state of Florida that many outsiders would have no concept of without the novel.
   
   
3. The median income for a household in the town was $29,457, and the median income for a family was $31,042. Males had a median income of $21,719 versus $21,328 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,257. About 21.9% of families and 25.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.3% of those under age 18 and 24.5% of those age 65 or over.
   
   

By Race

White

Black

Native American

Asian

Hispanic

Total Population

7.5%

89.31%

0.49%

0.29%

3.54%

Because Hispanics could be counted in other races, the totals above could possibly be more than 100%. If you would like a detailed listing of all ethnic groups in the U.S., please Click Here.

A small percentage of the businesses listed on BlackCityInfo.com may not necessarily be black owned and operated but have received favorable reviews from users who have visited the establishment, or from the owners themselves who warmly seek out African American patronage.

BEAUTY CARE - BLACK HAIR SALONS - MULTICULTURAL

1. Fades To Fros Barber Shop -  Category: Barbers -  501 E Kennedy Boulevard - Eatonville, FL (407) 622-6200
   
   
2. New Image Hair Design -  Category: Beauty Salons -  403 E. Kennedy Blvd. - Eatonville, FL (407) 629-1998
   
   

BLACK BUSINESSES - SERVICES - VENDORS ETC.

1. Eatonvilleflorida.us -  Category: Directory - Business directory for Eatonville and the Central Florida area. -   PO Box 3485, Eatonville, FL 32751  - (visit website)
   
   

CULTURE

1. Hurston Museum -  Category: Museums -   227 E. Kennedy Blvd. - Eatonville, FL 32751 (407) 647-3307  - (visit website)
   
   

DINING - CATERING

1. Gordon's Be Back Fish House -  Category: Soul Food -  558 E. Kennedy Blvd. - Eatonville, FL (407) 644-6640
   
   
2. Homestyle Soul Food Restaurant -  Category: Soul Food Restaurants -  427 E. Kennedy Blvd - Eatonville, FL 32751 (407) 647-7955
   
   
3. Lowe's Good Eaton Soulfood -  Category: Soul Food Restaurants - REVIEW:" The Turkey Wings, sweet potatoes and cabbage were amazing. I liked it so much " -  429 E Kennedy Blvd - Eatonville, FL 32751 (407) 647-7955
   
   
4. Neats Restaurant -  Category: Seafood, American, Soul Food -   521 E. Kennedy Blvd. Eatonville, FL 32751 (407) 975-8798
   
   

Zora! Festival in Eatonville, Florida.
Writer, folklorist and cultural anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston is celebrated yearly at the annual Zora! Festival in Eatonville, just north of Orlando. The Zora! Festival not only celebrates the life and works of Zora Neale Hurston, but it also celebrates the historic significance of Eatonville (the oldest incorporated African American municipality in the United States) and the cultural contributions that people of African ancestry have made to United States and world culture. Join VISIT FLORIDA's Arts & Culture Expert, Rayme Samuels, as she explores historic Eatonville and this dynamic festival.

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CHURCHES

1. Macedonia Missionary Baptist -  Category: Black Churches -   412 East Kennedy Blvd. Eatonville, FL 32751 (407) 647-0010  - (visit website)
   
   
2. Life Center -  Category: Black Churches -   63 East Kennedy Boulevard Eatonville, FL 32751 (407) 628-3229  - (visit website)
   
   
3. Redeeming Light Center Church -   109 Washington St. - Eatonville, Fl (407) 660-1288
   
   
4. St. Lawrence AME Church -   605 East Kennedy Blvd - Eatonville, Fl (407) 644-1021
   
   

ANNUAL EVENTS

1. The Zora Neale Hurston Festival
   Held each year in January    - (visit website)
   
   Zora Neale Hurston was a fascinating and complex figure in American history. Come and join Eatonville FL. as they celebrate her life and contributions to American culture.