{"id":38868,"date":"2023-11-14T16:54:08","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T21:54:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/?p=38868"},"modified":"2023-11-14T16:54:16","modified_gmt":"2023-11-14T21:54:16","slug":"the-community-of-moorehead-once-was-now-remembered","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/2023\/11\/14\/the-community-of-moorehead-once-was-now-remembered\/","title":{"rendered":"The Community of Moorehead once was, now remembered"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Moorehead Community Marker Inscription.\u00a0\u00a0In the early 1880’s one of Lakeland’s first settlements developed on these 35 acres. Railroad laborers working on the Henry B. Plant railroad lines and other African-Americans moved here to begin construction in 1882 on a railroad line from Tampa eastward through Lakeland to Bartow junction. In 1884, Lakeland’s first African-American Church, St. John’s Baptist, was founded and the city’s first Black school was established, soon thereafter. Rev. H.R. Morehead (?-1916) became pastor of the St. John’s Church in 1906. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Resident James \u201cDubbie\u201d Bingham of the Moorehead Community. | Photo contributed by\u00a0<\/em>@Northstartv1<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

He was an esteemed champion for the rights of his people and it is believed that the Moorehead Community was named in his honor. This neighborhood experienced rapid growth of homes, churches, and businesses that included Lakeland’s first African-American physician, Dr. David Simpson (1870 – 1955). Thousands of African-Americans lived in Moorehead at one time or another until 1971 when the City of Lakeland acquired this land in order to build The Lakeland Center.

Erected by\u00a0the City of Lakeland.

Location.\u00a028\u00b0\u00a02.433\u2032\u00a0N, 81\u00b0\u00a057.773\u2032\u00a0W. Marker is in Lakeland, Florida, in Polk County. Marker can be reached from West Lime Street, 0.2 miles east of Lake Beulah Drive. The marker is located in the drop-off area at the front entrance to the RP Funding Center.\u00a0Touch for map<\/a>. Marker is at or near this postal address: 701 West Lime Street, Lakeland FL 33815, United States of America.\u00a0Touch for directions.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Aunt Louella,Working At The Bar Her And Her Husband Owned in Lakeland, Fl, During The Segregation Era

When Lakeland,FL Was Segregated, The Black People Came Together And Created A Safe-Haven Area Called \u201cMorehead\u201d (Thread)?? pic.twitter.com\/NsBJxtCYh7<\/a><\/p>— Northstar.TV? (@Northstartv1) October 30, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote>