 

From Lincolnville Public Library to Corner Market

 

 

The structure at 97 Martin Luther King Ave. is quite the gem in a place like St. Augustine’s Lincolnville.

With a vintage clothing store in the front, an organic food mart and quaint library in the back, what was formerly the Lincolnville Public Library on Martin Luther King Avenue, has been transformed into a trendy spot called Corner Market.

Lincolnville, known as one of St. Augustine’s most historic districts during the Civil Rights Era, once had businesses, shops and other establishments, but now it’s mostly homes and their families.

According to historian David Nolan, St. Augustine houses one of Florida’s pioneer libraries that dates to the decade after the Civil War — the public library.

Although the public library in St. Augustine had long stood, it had not always accepted everyone.

Nolan said he once heard a story from the daughter of one veteran black teacher. She told Nolan that her mother took her to the library to check out a book needed for a college course. Instead of being allowed to check out the book, the two were denied admission and the door was slammed in their faces.

Instead of settling for the exclusionary policy of the public library, Lincolnville formed its own library and thus the Lincolnville Public Library was established in the late 1940s.

Although the property itself was small, it did a lot.

Under the direction of Dorcas B. Sanders, the library was in the back portion of the property during the 1950s and ‘60s, according to the ACCORD Freedom Trail historical marker.

According to Nolan, Sanders was the librarian there for many years. In addition to that duty, Sanders served as president of the Black Parent-Teacher Association for the state of Florida. Sanders’ husband ran a meat market not far from the library.

Janie Price, who grew up in St. Augustine during the time of racial tensions, remembered Sanders and some of her work with the library when the public library did not allow African-Americans.

Rev. Thomas Wright, who was a pastor of St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church on Washington Street during that time, used the library as a training ground for the students of Florida Memorial College. Rev. Wright trained the students in non-violent techniques before they participated in St. Augustine lunch counter sit-ins.

After Sanders’ health began to fail, Rosalie Gordon-Mills kept the library alive and continued its operation in the building across the street known as the Echo House.

The Echo House, according to the property’s master site file, was constructed in 1926 and is now in a dilapidated condition although Gordon-Mills wanted to restore the property before she died.

The Lincolnville Public Library has long since been closed, but the sign has remained on the building to maintain its historical significance.

The building also has housed a pool hall as well as a music studio for jazz musician, Douglas Carn.

In 2000, George and Ollie Smith of St. Augustine, became owners of the property, and within recent years, sold it to their grandson, Kris Smith. The new owner who has transformed the library into something that has the same goals as its predecessor – a gathering place.

Originally, when Smith took over the building, there was a lot to do.

The property still was very much what it was years ago. Concrete and flooring had to be taken care of and everything out of date was removed.

The structure itself is the same, but now the property has made quite the change and boasts walls filled with art, unique clothing hand-picked by Smith himself, hardwood floors and more in the works.

Originally, Smith ran the property, Corner Market, as a clothing store and an art gallery. He said the art gallery wasn’t realizing the profit he’d expected, so with the help of his mother, Nykol Smith, an organic food section was added.

Smith’s mother hosts her business, Royal Beets, where she sells healthy snacks and foods made of beets.

Although there is no longer an art gallery in that portion of the building, the Smiths kept the artwork created by local artists, Flagler students and Smith himself.

Further back is the relic of history that Smith has kept alive — library nook. Right now, there are a lot of donated books, and Smith is hoping to expand the selection.

In the very back, there is a small garden and some patio sitting space. Smith envisions that space becoming a gathering spot for those in the community.

Both he and his mother said they hope that people from all over Lincolnville will feel welcome. Their plans are to start gardening and encouraging the kids in the neighborhood to understand where food comes from. There are also plans to host intellect connects, as Smith’s mother calls them, for people to come and discuss ideas and other ideologies.

Taking it a step further, Smith said that the name of Frederick E. Martin, a prominent businessman of Lincolnville and builder of the property, has his name on one of the tiles in the building. Instead of covering it up, Smith plans to put plexiglass over the tile, so everyone who walks in can see that piece of history.

The Lincolnville Public Library building may no longer stand full of fiction and non-fiction sections, but it is still a place where the people of Lincolnville can come together, more than 75 years later.

 

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