Downtown St. Augustine, Frederick Douglass marker, Monson Motor Lodge

St. Augustine, Florida 
Thursday, February 4th, 2021

The Frederick Douglass marker is placed on one of St. Augustine's most active streets with the opportunity of high visibility. However, as St. George Street is normally bustling with tourists and businesses, the marker is often passed by without much notice. Similarly, the Monson Motor Lodge pool and marker are now within the site of the Hilton Historic Bayfront Hotel and go overlooked. 

Artifact I:

Frederick Douglass marker

This marker is located in St. George Street, in honor of Frederick Douglass, who spoke on this site on April 7th, 1889. Douglass was born into slavery. Still, he taught himself and other enslaved people how to read. After escaping, he became an active and vocal leader in the abolitionist cause. Douglass spoke about the struggle of African Americans in the post-Emancipation era. 

Artifact II:

Monson Motor Lodge Plaque

While the original location was demolished, this plaque is in place to remember the events that occurred in the summer of 1964. A series of crucial protests involving local residents, Dr. Robert B. Hayling, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. contributed to the Civil Rights Act. 

Exterior I:

The rebuilt pool of the Monson Motor Lodge

In this pool, James Brock poured muriatic acid into the water to threaten protestors. Pictures of this event reached the international stage:

 

Horace Court, Associated Press

Exterior II:

Exterior of Hilton Bayfront Hotel

These steps are what is left of the Monson Motel after it was demolished in 2003. On this site, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested after asking for service. Later, he wrote to Rabbi Israel Dresner to gather other Rabbis to take part in the movement. Sixteen Rabbis in total were arrested on June 18th, 1964. 

In Conversation: 

MLK, Reverend Ralph Abernathy, James Brock outside of Monson Motor Lodge

Source: The Atlantic

This image takes place moments before Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was arrested, following a 20-minute conversation. The image provides context to the situation as Dr. King attempted to have a conversation before formally protesting on the site. However, the conversation was not received openly and subsequently results in Dr. King's arrest and the protest at the lodge's pool. 

"Why We Came"

Source: The St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society

This video is a reading of the letter that the sixteen jailed Rabbis wrote, "Why We Came", explaining why they needed to come to St. Augustine at the request of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This letter and video are important to bring up as they highlight solidarity and cooperation between different groups. 

ENG 202 Connection:

You know what's going to happen to both of us if we get caught?" I asked him. 

You scared?" He asked. 

"Yes. But that doesn't matter. I'll teach you. I just wanted to be sure you knew what you were getting into." 

He turned away from me, lifted his shirt in the back so that I could see his scars. Then he faced me again. 

"I know," he said. 

That same day, I stole a book and began to teach him.

-Kindred (98), Octavia E. Butler

Knowledge and education were a dangerous tool in the Antebellum Period. Similar to Dana and Nigel in Kindred, Frederick Douglass understood how crucial knowing how to read and write was to escaping slavery. 

Creative Component:

This collection of images intends to compare the past with the present. For example, the Monson Motor Lodge pool, although it was demolished and rebuilt, remains on the same site as it did when James Brock poured muriatic acid into the pool. Similarly, the Woolworth's counter replica remains on the site of the original location where the sit-ins took place, although it is now a Wells Fargo bank.