City of St. Augustine Takes Steps Backwards as City Manager Refuses to Place Historic Marker for the Lynching of Isaac Barrett at Plaza De La Constitución

Original marker for Isaac Barrett Lynching - Stolen Oct 18, 2018 - Courtesy of St. Johns Community Remembrance 

The City of St. Augustine is turning its back on a commitment to erect a historic marker for the Lynching of Isaac Barrett at the Plaza De La Constitución.

A marker was originally placed near the Shands Bridge close by where the lynching took place, but less than 48 hours later the historic marker was stolen.

The Equal Justice Initiative donated a second marker, but the marker is now sitting in a closet.

The city commissioners unanimously approved the idea of placing a marker for the Lynching of Isaac Barrett at the Plaza De La Constitución in August 2019, but the plan that was supposed to go back to the commission for final approval was put on hold, and city manager John Regan is now recommending against the placement.

In a recent First Coast News article, Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center Executive Director Regina Gayle Phillips explains, why she lobbied to have the historic marker placed downtown St. Augustine at the Plaza De La Constitución.

 "All the tours come through there. What a wonderful place to educate people about some of the racial injustices in our community that we're trying to overcome, because the point of this marker is reconciliation ... It may be a part of our legacy that we don't like, but it's not to embarrass us. It's to make us stronger, because that's the only thing that's going to help us to overcome some of the racial differences that we have."

In that same article James Michael Butler, Kenan Distinguished Professor of History at Flagler College, says "There is nothing between enslavement and the Civil Rights Movement currently in the plaza. A monument that notates the fact that a lynching happened [in St. Johns County], as well, fills in the gap between that history ...This issue is not just St. Augustine's issue, this is part of a greater movement to commemorate one of the most difficult times in American history, so that we can learn from it, have dialogue about it and why we are at the position that we're at as a society."

You can read the full First Coast News article on the Isaac Barrett historic marker here.

The lynching of Isaac Barrett might be a stain on St. Johns County's history, but it is a historic truth that should be told and not hidden away. We cannot learn from the past, if we refuse to acknowledge that it happened, or if we try to hide it from plain view.

Photo and info courtesy of St. Johns Community Remembrance 

To help, follow St. Johns Community Remembrance on Instagram, help spread their message and reach out to the people below to ask them to keep their commitment to erect a historic marker for the Lynching of Isaac Barrett at the Plaza De La Constitución.

Learn more about black history in St. Augustine and St. Johns County at:

The Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center 

102 M. L. King Avenue, 

St. Augustine, FL 32084

The Museum Hours Are: Tuesday - Saturday 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

For more information check out the Lincolnville Museum website.

The St. Augustine Historical Society & Research Library

6 Artillery Ln.

St. Augustine, FL 32084

Research Appointment can be made for Tuesday- Friday from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. by calling 904-825-2333 ext. 2.

For more information check out the St. Augustine Historical Society website.

Florida Public Archeology Network (FPAN)

125 Markland Pl.

St. Augustine, FL 32084

For more information check out the Florida Public Archeology Network website.

Please follow the West Augustine News Connection on Facebook, Instagram and You Tube to help us spread the word about the work we do, so that we can help serve you better.