African American Historic Neighborhoods

When Fort Myers was active as a fort during the Civil War, it was manned by “U.S. Colored Troops” (USCT).  Blacks and whites lived in the same neighborhoods when the fort was abandoned and the city was established.  The earliest known black settler, Nelson Tillis, arrived in Fort Myers on Christmas day in 1867.  Tillis and his family at one time lived in a house on McGregor Boulevard, near the Thomas Edison Estate, where it is said his children used to play on the Edison Lawn.  This integrated arrangement changed over time.

PINETUCKY – In the late 1800’s, both blacks and whites inhabited an area known as Pinetucky.  The area was geographically located on both sides of Cleveland Avenue between McGregor Boulevard on the west, Grand Avenue on the east, Victoria Avenue on the north and Edison Avenue on the south.  By the 1900’s newly arriving white settlers didn’t like blacks living in the same community with them. 

SAFETY HILL – By the mid-1930’s, most black families had moved into a segregated area originally referred to as Safety Hill.  Some people say it was given that name because the area is the highest elevation in Fort Myers.  Others say it was the only place that Blacks could feel safe.  In the mid-forties, the community began to be referred to as Dunbar, after the name of the black high school.  Until desegregation, blacks were only allowed to live in the Dunbar section of Fort Myers.  This area includes what is now called Velasco Village.

DUNBAR – When “Jim Crow” laws segregated the City of Fort Myers, though separate, the Dunbar community thrived.  The area had a strong sense of community.  After segregation when blacks were allowed to participate in commerce throughout the city, the economic structure within Dunbar faltered.  Another significant factor in the economic decline of Dunbar has been the exodus of young blacks away from Fort Myers.  Dunbar includes the area that was once called Safety Hill.