Cultural Resource Survey of North Port St. Joe

Cultural Resource Survey North Port St. Joe, Florida

Historic Preservation Program, University of Florida Project Team: Megan Ayotte Harshitha Beere Alayna Jackson Ryan Lester Tyler Smith Sam Stokes Shristi Tamrakar Morris Hylton III, Director HPP Linda Stevenson, Adj. Asst. Prof.

Clarissa Carr, Graphics

April 22, 2020 DRAFT 04/20

Presentation Table of Contents 1: Project Goal, Partners and Research Plan 2: Research Findings A. Introduction - Broader Context B. Historical Context for North Port St. Joe C. Architecture and Built Environment Context a. North Port St. Joe Community b . G e o rge Wa s h i n g to n S c h o o l C a m p u s D. H i s t o r i c P r e s e r v a t i o n To o l s 3: Preliminary Recommendations

P R O J E C T G O A L , PA R T N E R S & R E S E A R C H P L A N

University of Florida Historic Preservation Program Cultural Resource Survey Project PROJECT GOAL Wo rk wit h co mmu n it y sta ke h o ld e rs to identify and record heritage (tangible and intangible) in the North Port St. Joe community and explore considerations for preservation of cultural resources.

University of Florida Historic Preservation Program Cultural Resource Survey Project PA R T N E R S & P R O J E C T S U P P O R T

Cultural Resource Survey Project Location Map

Gulf County Florida

North Port St. Joe Images: ArcGIS

Cultural Resource Survey Project Location Map North Port St. Joe

North Port St. Joe Project Area Coalition Community Priorities C O M M U N I T Y PA R T N E R S : N P S J - PA C C o m m u n i t y P r i o r t i e s f o r N P S J - PA C 1.

Jobs

2.

Housing

3.

Open Space

4.

Heritage Collection of Historic Photographs Pop-up Gallery or Exhibition Continue the Conversation

Project Scope of Work and Schedule Ta s k 1 : F i e l d S u r v e y

(February 2020)

Ta s k 2 : D o c u m e n t a t i o n a n d M a p p i n g Ta s k 3 :

(February-March 2020)

Digital Imaging postponed (Date TBD)

Ta s k 4 : S i g n i f i c a n c e a n d I n t e g r i t y A s s e s s m e n t Ta s k 5 : C o n s i d e r a t i o n s a n d F i n a l R e p o r t

(April 2020)

(June 2020)

Project Timeline Preliminary Research January

Jan 10 and Jan 23

Florida Memory

Field Survey February

February 5 - 8

Collector for ARC GIS

Documentation/ Mapping & Assessment March

March - April

Collector for ArcGIS

Task 1: Field Survey Properties Inventory (+/ - 330 properties)

Building Type Architectural Form Architectural Style Roof type Exterior materials Windows Structure Foundation Construction period Condition Rating Square Footage Preliminary evaluation for significance

Task 2: Documentation and Mapping Research Community’s History Map and Assess Cultural Resources Interviews to Date Nathan Peters, Jr. Minnie Likely Clarence Monette Dannie Bolden

Digitize Documents Photographs in Museum Washington H.S. Yearbooks

Task 2:Mapping ArcGIS Collector App

First Community Meeting February 8, 2020 Attended NPSJ PAC meeting • 27+ participants • Established contacts with community members • Met coalition partners • Shared Project Approach and Project Goals

Task 4: Significance and Assessment of Integrity National Register of Historic Places Criterion A: Event(s) Criterion B: People/Persons Criterion C: Architecture Criterion D: Archaeology Assessment of Integrity Statement of Significance Period of Significance

Task 5: Considerations and Final Report Oral Histories and Community History Revolving Fund for Historic Buildings Design Guidelines for MLK, Jr. Boulevard George Washington H.S. Museum Heritage Trail and Tourism George Washington H.S. National Register of Historic Places Individual Landmark Nomination

Project Deliverables • Community presentation of research findings (PowerPoint format) • Database and mapping of community resources • Cultural, Historical and Architectural Resource Survey report • Summary of research findings • Recommendations for next steps and additional projects • Assistance with applications for FDHR grants for projects at the Washington School Campus • Future HSR and NRHP nomination

Introduction to the Broader Context Alayna Jackson | Sam Stokes

TEAM 1

Historic Preservation Context • National push for Inclusive Heritage

• Documenting and preserving the histories of Americans of all races and ethnicities.

• Value given to intangible heritage as well as the tangible.

• Tangible Heritage- Physical representations of culture • Artifacts • Buildings • Monuments • Intangible Heritage- Traditions and cultural knowledge • Knowledge of how to produce traditional goods • Rituals • Festivals • Cuisine • Language

Broad Historical Context • After the Civil War ended in 1865, social and political change did not happen overnight.

• The 15th Amendment, allowing Americans of all races to vote, was passed in 1870.

• Violence towards African-Americans was common.

• Lynching, Property destruction, Families forced off of their land

• Jim Crow Laws segregated the country.

• They lasted from post-Civil War until the Civil Rights Movement

• Civil Rights Movement gave rights back to African-Americans

• Brown vs Board of Education (1954), Civil Rights Act (1964), Voting Rights Act (1965), and Fair Housing Act (1968).

Historical Context Tyler Smith | Megan Ayotte

TEAM 1

Early Developmental History

1839

1684

1513

1836

1842

TEAM 1

19th century Developmental History

1844

1839

1829

1841

1845

Civil War Period

20th century Developmental History

TEAM 1

1913

1909

1925

1936

Index Page 1940 Sanborn Map Port St Joe, FL North Port St Joe Project Study Area

TEAM 1

St Joe Paper Company

St Joe Paper Company

Port St. Joe Paper Mill

Port St. Joe Paper Mill

TEAM 1

Community Entrepreneurs Money Bayou Beach

Nathan Peters

Damon Peters

Damon Peters Jr.

Dr. Francis Michael Hall

Raymond Driesbach

Community Entrepreneurs Money Bayou Beach Shoreline – Circa 1946

Subdivision Plan - Circa 1961

Community Entrepreneurs Money Bayou Beach

Community Entrepreneurs Money Bayou Beach

Baseball Field - Located by Avenue A near Martin Luther King Blvd. Pictures Circa 1979

Sports in Port St Joe: Baseball

Community Entrepreneurs Family Businesses

Damon Peters’ Store – 301 MLK Jr. Blvd

Damon Peters’ Store – 301 MLK Jr. Blvd

Peters’ Laundry – Avenue C

King’s Barber Shop – 183 Ave E

Houses of Worship Historical Photos

Mt. Carmel Baptist Church - 300 Ave D

Church of God in Christ - 163 Ave D

Amazing Grace Apostolic Church - 106 Robbins Philadelphia Primitive Baptist Church - 261 Ave D

New Bethel A.M.E. Church - 146 Ave C

Jesus House of Prayer – Kerry St.

Houses of Worship Today

Mt. Carmel Baptist Church - 300 Ave D

Amazing Grace Apostolic Church - 106 Robbins

Church of God in Christ - 163 Ave D

Philadelphia Primitive Baptist Church - 261 Ave D

New Bethel A.M.E. Church - 146 Ave C

Jesus House of Prayer Church - Kerry St.

Location Map Victory Temple Church- 316 MLK

New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church – 209 Park

Zion Fair Missionary Baptist Church – 270 Ave C

First Born Church - 228 Ave E

Community Institutions Knights of Pythias Lodge – 216 Ave C

Historic images - Knights of Pythias Lodge, Courtesy of GWHS Museum

Community Businesses

Community Businesses

Community Entrepreneurs Businesses

Properties of interest

George Washington SchoolSchool History History George Washington

Images of school – teachers and students

George Washington School History

 First School Built  First Contract (09/03/1940)  First Teacher Hired

 1952 – School Expansion, New Buildings 1950 – 1965

1940

1945 – 1950  1945 - New School Built  1948 – First Three Graduates

1965 – 1970  1965-70 – Freedom of Choice – 1/3 of student body transferred  1970 – Desegregation – School Closed

George Washington School History

George Washington School History

George Washington School History The Star – Circa March 2006

George Washington School History

George Washington School History

George Washington School History

ARCHITECTURE Ryan Lester | Shristi Tamrakar | Harshitha Beere

Type of Use Legend

Map: ArcGIS Collector App

Type of Use

Architecture Styles Legend

Map: ArcGIS Collector App

Architecture Styles

Periods of Construction Legend

Period of Construction

Map: ArcGIS Collector App

Periods of Construction

Existing Conditions Legend

Map: ArcGIS Collector App

Existing Conditions

Architecture Styles Wood Frame Vernacular (1920 – 1950) • Product of the builder's experience, available resources, and response to the environment • One or two stories in height, with one-story front porches • Typically rectangular, of balloon frame construction, and rests on piers • Gabled or hipped roofs with overhanging eaves.

• Exterior wall materials - Horizontal weatherboard and drop siding, vertical board and batten siding, wood shingles and asbestos shingles

Images: ArcGIS Collector App

Architecture Styles Shotgun Houses (1930s) • Long and narrow: they span the width of a single room • Rooms are lined up one behind the other, typically a living room is first, then one or two bedrooms, and finally a kitchen in back • In theory, you could shoot a bullet shot through the front door that would exit straight out the back • Typically wood-frame structure and wood siding • The roof usually overhangs the front wall with a gable above the overhang

Images: ArcGIS Collector App

Architecture Styles Masonry Vernacular (1935 – 1950) • Less common than wood vernacular structures • Generally composed of brick, stone, or concrete block • Like other vernacular structures, buildings lack ornamentation and architectural details that distinguish a specific style

Images: ArcGIS Collector App

Architecture Styles Split Level (1935 – 1975) • • • • •

Staggered floor levels Multi-level with a low-pitched roof Open floor plans with minimal wasted space Typically have an asymmetrical façade Windows are usually double hung

Images: ArcGIS Collector App

Architecture Styles Ranch (1935 – 1975) • • • •

Broad one story, usually built low to ground, Low-pitched roof without dormers (hip or gable roof) Front entry off-center, sheltered under main roof Asymmetrical facade

Images: ArcGIS Collector App

Architecture Styles Mid-Century Modern (1945 – 1990) • Low pitched gabled roof (sometimes flat) with overhanging eaves • Exposed roof beams • Built with natural materials (wood, stone, brick or concrete block) • Broad expense of uninterrupted wall surface typically on front façade • Asymmetrical façade with entry obscured or recessed

Images: ArcGIS Collector App

Materials Roof • Wood shingles • Corrugated metal sheet • Asphalt Shingles Asphalt Shingles roof

Corrugated metal Roof

Wood Shingles roof

Images: ArcGIS Collector App

Materials Windows • Wood • Vinyl • Metal Vinyl Windows

Metal Windows Images: ArcGIS Collector App

Styles Windows • • • •

Single/ Double Hung Picture Window Clerestory Bay window

Bay Window

Picture Windows

Single / Double Hung Windows and Awning windows Images: ArcGIS Collector App

Materials Wall Finishes • Siding: • Wood Siding • Vinyl Siding • Asbestos Siding

Painted masonry

•Panelized Siding •Plywood​ •Masonry​ •Stucco​ •Brick​ •Concrete blocks​

Concrete blocks and wood sidings

Horizontal siding Images: ArcGIS Collector App

Materials Porches • Wood porches and types: • Screened • Open • Enclosed • Contemporary additions

Images: ArcGIS Collector App

Materials Foundations • Piers • Continuous • Blocks with vents

Images: ArcGIS Collector App

Materials Miscellaneous features • Store fronts These structures were used as commercial buildings with large store-front glass, either to display goods or to have easier communication with potential customers.

Images: ArcGIS Collector App

Changes over time • Porches were enclosed • Carports/ Garages were closed to form an additional room

Images: ArcGIS Collector App

Changes over time

Wood siding replaced with aluminum or vinyl siding • Wood shingle roofs replaced by corrugated metal roofs or asphalt shingles • Wooden windows replaced by vinyl windows Images: ArcGIS Collector App

Architectural Diversity George Washington School A Mid-Century Modern (c.1940s-1960s) style School building made of concrete blocks with gable or slope roofs.

Images: ArcGIS Collector App

Architectural Diversity 301 MLK Jr. Blvd. & Ave C The building has been a commercial venue, owned by the same family for generations, and retains integrity of location, form, association, materials, with some alterations, including windows and store front.

Images: ArcGIS Collector App

Architectural Diversity 418 MLK Jr Ave E The large building seems to be multi-family residence built in ca.1930s. It is one of the few examples of a 2story frame vernacular architecture with second floor balcony porch.

Images: ArcGIS Collector App

Architectural Diversity 502 Peters St. & Ave E A good example of Mid-century modern design with low pitch roof and broad uninterrupted wall surface with a band of windows and a car port.

Images: ArcGIS Collector App

Architectural Diversity 506 Peters St. & Ave F A good example of a Ranch-style, with a cross-gable roof, exposed beams, a curtain wall, numerous windows and a garage.

Images: ArcGIS Collector App

Historic Preservation Current Trends and Tools Alayna Jackson | Sam Stokes

Local Context Port St. Joe Data

• Population decline in eastern Panhandle • Calhoun, Jackson, Holmes, Leon, and Jefferson Counties • Population increase in western Panhandle • Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties • Attributed to Panama City, Destin, and “spring breakers” • Port St. Joe has not had as much growth as other beach towns in the Panhandle.

• Lack of tourist draw • Paper mill hurt reputation with tourists due to smell.

• Has been working to bring tourists to “Forgotten Coast”

TEAM 1

Preservation Tools • • • • • • •

Florida Master Site File National Register of Historic Places Local Historic District Neighborhood Conservation District Certified Local Government (CLG) Historic Tax Credits Revolving Funds

Florida Master Site File • Statewide inventory of properties that are recorded and preliminarily evaluated for significance • FMSF overseen by Florida Division of Historical Resources

https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/m aster-site-file/

• Two previously recorded sites • 8GU00175 – 305 Peters St. • GWHS Classroom Building

• 8GU00176 – 303 Peters St. • GWHS Museum

National Register of Historic Places • Official list of historic resources worthy of preserving.

• Overseen by National Park Service • 4 Criteria • Association with important event/time in history • Association with important person • Architectural significance • Archaeological significance

• Can be significant on the national, local, or state level.

Nomination • Can be nominated by property owners, organizations, anyone

Public Comment • If majority of owners for district nomination object, properties won’t be listed.

SHPO Review • Minimum of 90 days • Will either recommend or deny listing

National Park Service Review • Nomination is then passed to NPS in Washington. Decision is made within 45 days

Local Historic District • Designated by local ordinance • Local historic preservation commission oversees.

• Protects the character of the district by reviewing development and changes.

• Port St. Joe already has two local districts- Historic Reid Avenue and the Waterfront District.

• Sec. 1.03 of City Code of Ordinances defines “Historic structure” • Sec. 4.05 “Determination of significance”

Neighborhood Conservation District • Zoning overlay • Establishes additional standards for properties in zone

• Can tailor fit management needs for the community • Not designated historic but protect character through design review, ordinances, and sometimes a neighborhood review board.

• 2 Approaches • Historic preservation approach to protect key neighborhood features • Zoning approach to prevent demolitions, control building use, or scale new construction

Certified Local Government (CLG) • “Preservation through Partnership” • Communities make a commitment to historic preservation • Administered by National Park Service and SHPO • Allows access to funding and technical assistance • States give at least 10% of their funding to CLGs

Historic Tax Credits (HTC) • Property Tax Exemption • Provided for rehabilitation of historic structures.

• Tax exemption covers up to 100% of the resulting increase in property value.

• Remains in effect for 10 years.

• Qualifications:

• Building must be either listed individually in the National Register of Historic Places, a contributing structure in a National Register District, or designated historic by a local ordinance • Rehabilitation work must be done using the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation

• Applications are reviewed by local preservation office if they are a CLG or

by Division of Historic Resources if not.

• Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program • Must be listed in National Register of Historic Places • Income tax credit equal to 20% of expenses spent rehabilitation historic, income-bringing buildings.

• Rehabilitation work must be done using the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation

Revolving Funds and Loans • Used by a preservation organization to purchase, stabilize and/or rehabilitate, and then resell historic properties to preservation-minded buyers, subject to easements or protective covenants. • Monies earned from the sale of the historic property go back into the fund to be used for future acquisitions and rehabilitations. • Have low and or fixed interest rates, flexibility in repayment period.

Case Study Newtown, Sarasota, Fl.

TEAM 1

• Newtown, Sarasota, Florida

• Similar situation to Port St. Joe

• “Town within a town”, separate business district and housing due to segregation.

• Hurt economically and socially by desegregation.

• Lack of funding and written histories

• Caspersen Beach was originally segregated

• Newtown residents were not allowed at Lido Beach

• Created Newtown Conservation Historic District • http://www.newtownalive.org/

Case Study Lincolnville, St. Augustine, Fl.

TEAM 1

• Established by freed slaves • Strong commercial center with black owned businesses • Played a large role in Civil Rights Movement • National Register of Historic Places Historic District • Funding assistance for qualified projects for home owners • A land trust has been authorized for use when a potential site is found

National Register Listings Similar Case Studies

Booker T. Washington High School – Columbia, SC

Booker T. Washington High School – New Orleans, LA

Bourbon Community Building-Gymnasium – Bourbon, IN

National Register of Historic Places Seven Aspects Of Integrity • Location • Design • Setting • Materials • Workmanship • Feeling • Association

R E C O M M E N D AT I O N S

Recommendations -Conservation District (instead of local Historic District) -Oral Histories of Residents -Revolving Fund and / or Revolving Loan for Historic Buildings -George Washington High School Museum - Digitize Collection -Heritage Trail with Historical Markers -George Washington High School NR Nomination and Historic Structure Report -Design Guidelines for the development of MLK Boulevard

Recommendations

-Conservation District -- When a neighborhood or district suffers a large loss of historic fabric - Focus on the character of the neighborhood - Create customized guidelines for local review - More flexibility

Recommendations -Oral

Histories of Residents

• Identify key people for interviews • Gather stories • Use for interpretive presentations of community heritage

Recommendations -Revolving Fund and/or Revolving Loan for Historic Buildings • Revitalizes the neighborhood • Creates affordable and sustainable housing • Reduces displacement in historic neighborhoods • Rehabilitated building can be protected by easements and covenants.

• Successful Example of Revolving Fund • Historic Macon Foundation Macon, Georgia • http://www.historicmacon.org/ • Successful Example of Revolving Loan • Deadwood, South Dakota • https://www.cityofdeadwood.com/index.asp?SEC=07D658A2-45D6-4471-B564C5B70EF75685&Type=B_BASIC

Recommendations

--George Washington High School Museum Digitize Collection

Recommendations

-George Washington High School NR Nomination and Historic Structure Report -Adaptive reuse community charrette got GWHS campus GWHS Campus Redevelopment Plan

Recommendations -Heritage

Trail with Historical Markers

- Florida African-American Trail -

https://dos.myflorida.com/media/32347/blackheritagetrail.pdf

Recommendations - Implement Design Guidelines for the redevelopment of MLK Jr. Boulevard

Implementing the 2009 North Port St. Joe Master Plan

Further research • Develop a comprehensive picture of the architectural and historical development of North Port St Joe • Acknowledge impact of broad social change (integration/ demolition of old Washington School building) on the loss of community’s built heritage.

• How might a more Inclusive Heritage approach assist in the community’s redevelopment strategies?

Project Impact • Broaden the understanding of the cultural, architectural and historical resources in the community • Disseminate the research findings to the community • Research findings will assist the NPSJ-PAC in community redevelopment planning strategies and funding

References Architecture: • City of Fernandina Beach Reconnaissance-Level Architectural Survey June 2011. https://www.fbfl.us/DocumentCenter/View/6313/11_Part-II-Chapter-2?bidId= • McAlester, Virginia. A Field Guide to American Houses. Knopf, 2013.

History • https://knightsofpythiasfl.com/news/view/?id=6 • https://news.wfsu.org/post/port-st-joe-community-divided-development-martin-luther-king-jr-boulevard • http://saveourshotguns.org/events/pearls/untold-stories-of-north-port-st-joe/ • http://www.portofportstjoe.com/port-history.cfm • https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-stjoe-story.html • https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6617&context=etd

References Historic Photographs Florida Memory Photographic Archives.

• https://www.floridamemory.com/solrsearch/results/index/page/2?q=%28port+st.+joe+OR+tt%3Aport+st.+joe%5E10%29&query=port+st.+joe Photo Archives • George Washington High School Museum photographic collection • Photographs provided digitally by Clarence Monette National Register Case Study Buildings • https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/places/15000888.htm • https://schpr.sc.gov/index.php/Detail/properties/47716 • https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/3900667/LA-OrleansParish-BookerT.pdf • https://thelensnola.org/2017/07/28/whats-left-of-booker-t-washington-high-school-has-been-taken-offnational-register-of-historic-places/ • http://lcweb2.loc.gov/master/pnp/habshaer/la/la0600/la0678/data/la0678data.pdf

References Star News Articles • https://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00028419/00891?search=star+%3dport+or+joe+or+fl • https://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00028419/00890?search=star+%3dport+or+joe+or+fl North Port St. Joe (P.A.C.) Project Area Coalition Redevelopment Plans • https://redevelopingnpsj.org/

Practicum in Historic Preservation North Port St. Joe Neighborhood

THANK YOU! April 22, 2020