St. Petersburg's Historic African American Neighborhoods - Paperback

by Rosalie Peck (Author), Jon Wilson (Author)

Pepper Town, Methodist Town, the Gas Plant district and the 22nd Street South community--these once segregated neighborhoods were built by African Americans in the face of injustice. The resilient people who lived in these neighbourhoods established strong businesses, raised churches, created vibrant entertainment spots and forged bonds among family and friends for mutual well-being. After integration, the neighbourhoods eventually gave way to decay and urban renewal, and tales of unquenchable spirit in the face of adversity began to fade. In this companion volume to St. Petersburg's Historic 22nd Street South, Rosalie Peck and Jon Wilson share stories of people who built these thriving communities, and offer a rich narrative of hardships overcome, leaders who emerged and the perseverance of pioneers who kept the faith that a better day would arrive.

Author Biography

Rosalie Peck is a retired social worker with a Masters in the field. After graduating from Bethune-Cookman College, she worked in Detroit and LA before returning to St. Petersburg in the 1970s. She retired in 1978 and now devotes most of her time to writing. In 1992, she was named Ms. Senior Florida. Jon Wilson is a lifelong journalist, having been a reporter, editor, and editorial writer at the St. Petersburg Times during his 35-year career there. He has a Masters degree in journalism and has been pursuing a Master of Liberal Arts with a focus on Florida Studies. Jon and Rosalie teamed up in the past to write St. Petersburg's Historic 22nd Street South (History Press, 2006).