Newtown (Sarasota, Florida)

(Redirected from Newtown (Sarasota)) African American neighborhood in Florida

Newtown is a predominantly African American community in Sarasota, Florida. Emma E. Booker Elementary, Booker Middle School, and Booker High School are in Newtown and named for educator Emma E. Booker. A farmer's market has been held in Newtown. A historical marker commemorates the community's history. Historical trolley tours have been offered along the Newtown African American Heritage Trail by the Newtown Alive organization. The Rosemary Cemetery where Owen Burns is buried is nearby and the Robert L. Taylor Complex is in Newtown. The Newtown Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in April 2024. It includes Galilee Cemetery.

History

Newtown was preceded by Angola and Overtown, both areas African Americans were forced out of. Newtown Plat was filed with Manatee County April 20, 1914 and included 96 building lots. On August 6, 1914, an addition was added creating an additional 74 lots.

Segregation excluded African Americans from area beaches. In 1951, Newtown residents organized wade-ins to protest their exclusion from Lido Beach and other areas.

In 2011, two British tourists were murdered in the area drawing media coverage.

In 2021, Sarasota County sought to develop an area of Newtown with multi-family housing.

Greater Hurst Chapel AME Church on Links Avenue was built in 1928.

References

^ "Get to Know Newtown Through its History | Visit Sarasota". www.visitsarasota.com.
"Newtown African American Heritage Trail – US Civil Rights Trail".
"Newtown earns listing in National Register of Historic Places". 3 May 2024.
^ "The Rich History of Newtown | City of Sarasota". www.sarasotafl.gov.
"Newtown Fights Back Against Negative Perceptions of Neighborhood". Sarasota, FL Patch. April 23, 2011.
"Sarasota County to review six proposals for affordable and mixed-income housing in Newtown".
"'We're proud': Sarasota's Newtown neighborhood now has historic recognition". 3 May 2024.

v t e Sarasota, Florida
Historic Districts	Burns Square Caples–Ringling Estates Central–Cocoanut Downtown Sarasota Harding Circle Laurel Park Maine Colony Overtown Newtown Rigby's La Plaza
Historic Sites and Landmarks	Bay Haven School Booker High School Chidsey Library Crisp Building Ed Smith Stadium Florida Studio Theatre Lime Lake Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Mote Marine Laboratory John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art John Ringling Causeway Payne Park Robarts Arena Rosemary Cemetery Roth Cigar Factory Sarasota Classic Car Museum Sarasota High School Sarasota Jungle Gardens Sarasota Memorial Hospital Sarasota Municipal Auditorium Sarasota Opera House Selby Public Library Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Former buildings and landmarks	El Vernona Hotel–John Ringling Hotel Gulfcoast Wonder & Imagination Zone
Colleges and universities	Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training East West College of Natural Medicine Florida State University College of Medicine Ringling College of Art and Design New College of Florida University of South Florida Sarasota–Manatee
Transportation	Breeze Transit Manatee County Area Transit Sarasota–Bradenton International Airport
Media	Sarasota Herald-Tribune Sarasota Observer ABC 7 SNN
Organizations	Asolo Repertory Theatre Florida Studio Theatre Sarasota Orchestra
Government	Sarasota County Government Fire department Library system Schools Sheriff's office Sarasota Police Department
This list is incomplete.

Category:

Neighborhoods in Sarasota, Florida

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