Because this month is Black History Month, it’s fitting to discuss the threat to the local history of a small town in Florida.
For nearly a decade now, the predominantly black, unincorporated section of Sanford, FL known as Midway has been in the midst of a tug-of-war, caught in the middle of government planners, business developers and community organizers. Sanford and the greater Seminole County community have set out to benefit from the exponential growth that is taking place in Central Florida. However, where do the residents of Midway stand? Will the residents of Midway benefit from changes that are quickly taking effect or will Midway become another casualty of so-called progress?
One of the changes has recently put Midway in the focus of media attention. This is the proposed erection of a new elementary school on a potentially hazardous site (as the area is former farming ground, loaded with harmful chemicals). There were write-ups in papers, community meetings and new plan after new plan.
At a Midway community town hall meeting held on Feb. 1, residents expressed that they very much want the school. They don't feel there is a real threat to the children. They feel people should be supporting a new up-to-date facility for the children of Midway.
Others bring up the issue of where the school will be facing. This question brings us to change number two, all the new homes being built up around Midway. Some ask if the school is really being built to cater to the more affluent homeowners moving into the area. Will the school face the old Midway or the new section with many white homeowners? (Those from Sanford will remember the hurtful Goldsboro situation).
Finally, a third change may pose an even bigger threat to the historic community. My cousin, a concerned Midway resident, pointed out to me that many of the kids who now attend Midway Elementary will be pushed out completely with the expansion of the Sanford Orlando Airport. This has been an issue for years now. Many of the residents have been forced to sell out to the airport, which sits just across the highway from Midway. Although new eminent domain restrictions (enacted by Congress and the Florida legislature) limit the powers of government, many of the residents may sell anyway. Because of the rising property values and property tax rates, the poorer old residents won’t even be able to move into the new subdivisions nearby. In turn, Midway will no longer be the Midway we once knew. This black town that has existed in Sanford since the late 1800s may disappear.
My fear is that gentrification will change the face of Midway and a rich heritage will be lost. Proponents of the new growth say Midway is a poor black community that needs a face lift anyway.
So what do we do about history preservation? There are many whose roots go deep in Midway. So do mine.
There are options. The Hannibal Square section of Winter Park set up a Community Trust designed to maintain its cultural heritage and diversity. Other towns established museums. In Midway, they have already set up a historical marker and Victoria Brown-Smith wrote a book about Midway history. However, more should be done to keep alive the memory of this important place.
Many of our ancestors gained their first experience in property ownership right in Midway. We should not let their hard work just slip away. We need to consider what options we have to preserve the rich heritage of Midway. It is up to us. Who else will or should care? Perhaps this should be on the agenda at the next community meeting in Midway. Perhaps those who have ties to Midway should attend the next meeting and present some ideas for how to make sure our history is not lost.
If you have more information on this or want to dialogue about this, please comment.
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