Santos in the 1920s was a close community of predominantly African American families, many related, who farmed and had jobs in the area.
The town, which straddles U.S. 441 about seven miles south of Ocala, was dotted with stores and a post office. The community hosted baseball games that attracted both Black and white fans, according to historical accounts.
Irene Damon Donar, 89, was born in Santos in 1931, about four years before President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced the start of Cross Florida Barge Canal project.
Ill-fated canal project would cut through community
In The Way It Was, a book focused on major events in Marion County in the 20th century, former Star-Banner editor and columnist David Cook recounts how Roosevelt authorized the start of work on the 195-mile canal, which would start at Inglis and cut a path through south and northeast Marion County on its way to the Jacksonville area.