Okaloosa County BOCC — June 25, 2015 — I. c. John C. Beasley State Park

            John  C.  Beasley  State  Park     1960-­‐1965     Request  for  Recognition  of  John  C.  Beasley     State  Park                 Part  A         Briefing     Part  B       Proposed  Language  for  Monument  or             Plaque     Part  C       Documentation  to  Support  Request    6/19/2015 John C. Beasley State Park 1960 - 1965 STATIA J. McNEESE Member, Citizen’s Committee to Commemorate John C. Beasley State Park June 25, 2015 Why We Are Here BLUF: Request TDC understanding and support to commemorate the foundation and history of John C. Beasley Park as a historical site 1  6/19/2015 Outline • Citizens’ Committee Membership • Background to Committee Formation • Research on the Park’s Creation • Who was John C. Beasley • Importance to the Community • A trip to John C. Beasley State Park • Other Florida Segregated State Areas • Our Request • Acknowledgements Citizens’ Committee Membership At request of Commissioner Nathan Boyles • Ted Corcoran • Daisy Wiggins • Raymond Nelson • Statia McNeese • Tammy McDaniel • Michelle Anchors 2  6/19/2015 Background to the Committee Formation • “In the Days Before Desegregation, Area’s Only Black Beach Was a Refuge” – 4 Sep 2014, NWF Daily News Article, • “Commissioner to Seek Recognition for Beasley Park” – 11 Sep 2014, NWF Daily News Article, • “Island Park Deserves a Plaque” – 15 Sep 2014, NWF Daily News Editorial, • Initial Meeting of Citizens’ Committee – 29 Sep 2014 Research on Park’s Creation & Immediate Aftermath • Playground News Microfilm – 1 Jan 59 through 8 Sep 60 – 1 Oct 64 through 30 Dec 65 – Location, NW FL State College Library • Eglin Eagle Hard Copies – 1 Jan 59 through Sep 60 – No information Found – Location, History Office, Eglin AFB, FL • State Archives of Florida – Construction and Maintenance Records – Reference to Ranger Hill when Supervisory Ranger from St Andrews in Panama City visited 3  6/19/2015 Research Results (All from Playground News) • “Negro Beach Slated for Summer Opening” – P.1, 21 April 1959 • “C of C Acts on Negro Park Development” – P.1, 28 May 1959 • “Negro Park to be Opened This Summer” – P.1, 4 Jun 1959 • “Dedication Set on Beasley Park” – P.17, 17 Mar 1960 Who Was John Beasley? Provided by NWF Daily News Librarian Linda Murchison by way of Reporter Lauren Reinlie • “Beasley Funeral Services Held at Episcopal Church”, Playground News, p. 2, 14 Feb 1957 – “So active was he in civic and community affairs, and so unselfish in offering his time and service, that his host of friends in the Playground area describe him ‘as a man deserving of a monum