The role of Lincolnville in St Augustine’s Emancipation history
In honor of Black History Month, Historic City News would like to outline St Augustine’s Emancipation history with a special focus on the Lincolnville neighborhood. Included are recommendations for lodging, restaurants, and cultural activities, provided by the St Johns Cultural Council.
Black Heritage in St Augustine
The Civil War began in 1861 and though Florida joined the Confederacy, Saint Augustine was quickly occupied by Union troops who maintained their hold throughout the war. Because of this, Saint Augustine is one of the very few places in the US where Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation freed any slaves upon its release: some states outlawed slavery two and a half years later due to low Union presence and inconsistent enforcement.