Communities

Florida’s strolls were a significant part of the Circuit, which was originally based out of Jacksonville. In 1933, Barnes established a winter headquarters in the LaVilla neighborhood to conduct annual late-fall-to-spring Southern tours. Barnes elaborated on the stroll in Jacksonville and other Florida cities in his writings in the Defender. His success in touring across the south encouraged numerous acts to follow what became known as the circuit during segregation.

Established in 1866, LaVilla's West Ashley Street emerged as an early ragtime and vaudeville destination by 1910 when it became the location of the nation's first published account of blues singing on a public stage. Home to venues such as the Knights of Pythias Hall, Strand Theatre, The Lenape and Two Spot, early circuit musicians visiting LaVilla include Barnes, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Jimmy Lunceford, Fletcher Henderson and Erskine Hawkins. Today, the Ritz Theatre and Museum, Eartha M.M. White Museum and Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing Park all tell the legacy of the community also affectionately known as Uptown.

Numerous "strolls" can be found throughout the state, including the Deuces Live in St. Petersburg, Eatonville and Lincoln Park in Fort Pierce.

In the Tampa Bay region, it was once said that one could live their whole life on the Deuces (22nd Street South) - born at Mercy Hospital and celebrating your homecoming at Sanchez Funeral Home. Nicknamed “The Home of Happy Feet,” the Manhattan Casino was the heart and soul of the Deuces. Developed by local black entrepreneur Elder Jordan, the Manhattan operated from 1925 until 1968. Both white and black music lovers went to the Manhattan to see the likes of Fats Waller, Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughn, Fats Domino, and the Ink Spots. This story lives on through attractions like the Manhattan Casino, Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, 22nd Street South Corridor African-American Heritage Trail, and the 9th Avenue South Corridor African-American Heritage Trail.

In one of the nation's first incorporated African-American towns, entrepreneur Condon Merritt parlayed gambling profits and a fruit picker's salary into a real estate empire, opening Club Eaton in 1950. At its height, the club became one of Central Florida's most popular night spots. Popular among Chitlin Circuit musicians for having rooms upstairs where they could stay overnight, national acts associated with the club include Sam Cooke, Chuck Willis, Tina Turner, Etta James, Duke Ellington, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, the Drifters and the Platters. This rich history continues to be celebrated along Kennedy Boulevard today, through the Eatonville Historical Trail, Town Hall and the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum.

In Fort Pierce, Lincoln Park's Avenue D emerged as a vibrant activity center for migrant laborers during the 1950s and 60s. Established by Levie Baker, Baker's Flamingo Bar & Grill was the primary venue in Lincoln Park, attracting the likes of James Brown and the Famous Flames and Billie Holiday. Lincoln Park's contributions to the circuit continue to be highlighted through the Lincoln Park Black Archives, Zora Neale Hurston Dust Tracks Heritage Trail, The Highwaymen Heritage Trail and the Florida Highwaymen & African American Culture Project.