The location I chose to focus on is Eatonville, Florida the reason I chose to do this specific location is because this was where Zora Neale Hurston was raised. Eatonville is one of the oldest Black towns in the United States. The town was established in 1887 by twenty- seven Black men during the emancipation and reconstruction periods and was known as the beacon of freedom and was a comfort for Black Floridians as well as just Black southerners who were facing racial oppression and violence. One thing that was unique about this town is that the St. Lawrence African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church and Robert Hungerford Industrial School upheld the self- governing ideals of the original founders. The church and the school passed down the self- governing ideals as time went on.

    When it comes to how Eatonville looks now it is a blend of both modern society as well as old Florida tradition. The town bordered by towns that are mostly all white in population. The town now is more of a residential community, but it still does have remaining businesses around such as Barber shops, restaurants, churches, and school buildings. There are bricks lining the intersections, as well as newer buildings as well as the old homes that were built long ago.

When it comes to Eatonville and how it relates to Zora Neale Hurston, her stories were impacted by Eatonville which is where she grew up. This town helped shape her perspective on life and this perspective can be seen throughout the stories she has written. Although Zora Neale Hurston was born in Notasulga, Alabama, she grew up in Eatonville, Florida. There is a museum in Eatonville, Florida dedicated to Hurston and her literary works along with her accomplishments the museum’s called Zora Neale Hurston Museum of Fine Arts.

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