The African American Heritage Trail

In 1868, John Donaldson was the first African American to settle in what was then called the Pinellas Peninsula. Donaldson was one of the people who helped St. Pete come into its own, formally requesting that the Pinellas Peninsula become separate from Hillsborough County. The railroad followed, and a community grew up around it. 

In the 1920s, 22nd Street South, which became known affectionately as “The Deuces,” quickly became the bustling hub of African American life in the city during the time of segregation. More than 100 businesses thrived, children learned, people prayed and a strong sense of community was shared. 

Explore the African American Heritage Trail to learn about the incredible people who made an impact on not only their community, but on the state and beyond. 

Here’s a sampling of what you’ll find along the trail:

Fannye Ayer Ponder House

Fannye Ayer Ponder, originally from Ocala, Florida, moved to St. Pete with her husband, Dr. James Ponder. After planting roots in St. Petersburg, Ponder, a proud activist, began teaching at Gibbs High School. Most notably, Ponder’s civic leadership centered on the advancement of the rights of African American women.

The Ponder family was closely tied to Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, an activist for civil and women's rights. Dr. Bethune and Ponder were so close that Bethune considered Ponder a daughter. Ponder’s activism carried her all over the country and even to the White House, where she worked alongside First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. 

Inspired by the work she did with Bethune and Roosevelt, Ponder returned to St. Pete and started the St. Petersburg Metropolitan Section of the National Council of Negro Women. She purchased a house that is now on the African American Heritage Trail and is still the official meeting place of the NCNW chapter. 

Baseball in St. Pete

Historically, St. Pete was a spring training hub. Teams including the New York Yankees, the Chicago Cubs and the Philadelphia Phillies were regular visitors to the area. While white baseball players stayed in hotels in the city, Black baseball players were not welcome there. Instead, they stayed in the homes of local Black families – and that was long after Jackie Robinson had paved the way for Black players in the Major Leagues in 1947. 

Dr. Ralph Wimbish and Dr. Robert Swain, local activists and members of the Ambassadors Club, helped Black baseball players secure housing within the community. At one point, Dr. Swain had an apartment complex built for the players to stay in, but the accommodations were short-lived, as Swain realized that housing the Black players separately from the white ones fostered segregation.

In addition to Major League Baseball, St. Pete was also known for the Negro Baseball League, which played regularly at Campbell Park.