UPDATE: New historical markers were unveiled in the Bond community of Tallahassee on February 20, 2023, during a ceremony at Speed Spencer Stephens Park. This significant event celebrates the rich history of the neighborhood, detailing its evolution from the 1920s to the 1980s with metal plaques lining the walkway.
Residents, city officials, and members of the neighborhood association gathered to commemorate the occasion, enjoying blueberry-themed refreshments that pay homage to the area’s origins as a blueberry farm owned by Benjamin J. and Leticia J. Bond. City Commissioner Curtis Richardson expressed the importance of the event, stating, “These beautiful markers preserve stories of the Greater Bond neighborhood and honor neighbors who have lived in this prominent, historically Black community.”
The newly installed markers highlight key aspects of the neighborhood’s development, including the businesses, churches, and schools that have shaped the community, as well as notable figures like Major James Morgan Jr., Mack Bryant, and Robert and Trudie Perkins. The project reflects a broader initiative known as the Greater Bond Neighborhood First Plan, which was adopted by the city in 2018.
Project manager Jarvis Rosier, a lifelong resident of the Bond area, emphasized the dedication that went into the project. He noted that it took approximately three years and cost around $75,000. Rosier detailed the three-fold approach taken by the committee, which included transcribing oral histories, developing narratives by decade, and creating the historical markers themselves.
During the project, Rosier conducted 17 interviews with longtime residents, uncovering the legacy of nearly 84 businesses that once thrived in the area, many of whom contributed significantly to the community and Florida A&M University. The committee produced four detailed summaries, one for each plaque along the walkway, ensuring that the history of the Greater Bond community is preserved for future generations.
Rosier also revealed that stories not included on the markers will be compiled into a book titled “Beyond the Blueberry,” expected to be released soon. He stated, “History tells us where we are on the map of human geography… but most importantly, history tells us where we still must go.”
As the community celebrates this milestone, the historical markers serve as a reminder of the Bond neighborhood’s rich heritage and the resilience of its residents. This project not only honors the past but also strengthens community ties, ensuring that the stories of the Greater Bond neighborhood continue to resonate for years to come.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the community reflects on its past and looks towards its future.
