National Register Listing

St. James A. M. E. Church

a.k.a. 8SE457

819 Cypress Ave., Sanford, FL
Local significance of the building:
Black; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

ethnic heritage black architecture
During the Civil War, Florida was the third state to secede from the Union and join the Confederacy, after South Carolina and Mississippi.
Florida random facts
Seminole County, Florida, has a rich history that dates back thousands of years to the indigenous people who first inhabited the area. The Timucua tribe was one of the early Native American groups that lived in what is now Seminole County, even before the arrival of European explorers. Spanish explorers first made contact with the Timucua people in the 1500s, but conflict and diseases brought by the explorers ultimately led to the decline of the Timucua population.

In the 19th century, Seminole County was part of an ongoing struggle between Native American tribes and European settlers. The Seminole Wars, primarily fought in the early 1800s, were a series of conflicts between the Seminole tribe and the United States government. The war had a significant impact on Seminole County, as it was the site of several battles and served as a refuge for the Seminole people. The wars ended with the forced removal of many Seminole people to reservations in present-day Oklahoma.

Following the Seminole Wars, Seminole County saw an influx of settlers, particularly after the area was opened up for settlement in the late 1800s. The construction of railroads, such as the South Florida Railroad, played a crucial role in the growth of the county by connecting it to other parts of the state. This led to the establishment of towns like Sanford, which became a major transportation hub and center of commerce.

In the 20th century, Seminole County continued to develop and diversify. The growth of the aerospace industry in nearby Cape Canaveral and the establishment of the Kennedy Space Center brought economic opportunities to the county. With its proximity to the Orlando metropolitan area and the development of Walt Disney World, Seminole County also became an attractive location for residents looking for suburban living. Today, Seminole County is known for its vibrant communities, natural beauty, and successful blend of urban and rural areas.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Seminole County, Florida.

  • 1821 - Florida becomes a territory of the United States as part of the Adams-Onís Treaty.
  • 1824 - The Seminole Tribe is recognized as a separate nation by the U.S. government.
  • 1835-1842 - The Second Seminole War takes place, leading to the removal of many Seminole Native Americans from the area.
  • 1845 - Florida is admitted as the 27th state of the United States.
  • 1911 - Seminole County is created from portions of Orange County and St. Johns County.
  • 1913 - The county seat of Seminole County is established in Sanford.
  • 1920s - The citrus industry thrives in Seminole County, contributing to its economic growth.
  • 1941-1945 - Seminole County plays a role in World War II as a training site for military personnel and the location of an Army Air Forces' bomber base.
  • 1971 - Walt Disney World Resort opens its doors in nearby Orange County, having a significant impact on tourism in the region.
  • 1991 - The City of Lake Mary is incorporated, becoming the largest city in Seminole County.
  • 2010 - The population of Seminole County reaches over 400,000 residents.