Elder Jordan Sr. (c. 1850–1936) was an American businessman, philanthropist, and community leader in St. Petersburg, Florida.[1][2][3] He was an important figure in African American history of St. Petersburg by the creation of a social gathering place in the 1920s through 1960s, as well as through the donation of his land to create public housing. He is the namesake of the Jordan Park neighborhood of St. Petersburg.[4]
Biography
Jordan was born in the mid-1800s into slavery.[3] At 15-years-old, he purchased his freedom.[5] Around 1901[6] or 1904, he moved to St. Petersburg, two months after his wife, Mary, moved. At the time of moving, he had at least five children: Columbus, Elder Jr., Osha, Harry, and McKinley.[7]
In 1925, Jordan built the Jordan Dance Hall, which became a gathering place for African Americans in St. Petersburg during segregation in the United States. It was later known as the Manhattan Casino and closed operations in 1968.[8][1] Jordan donated land to create public housing for African Americans, which was developed into Jordan Park neighborhood, home of the first public housing project in St. Petersburg.[9][10]
Jordan died in 1936.[3] One of the stops on St. Petersburg's African American Heritage Trail covers his life.[11] In 2020, a statue of Jordan was erected south of the Manhattan Casino.[12] It became the first statue that St. Petersburg erected for one of its citizens.[5]
References
- ^ a b Mulrooney, Laura (November 3, 2020). "Elder Jordan Sr. Honored as Pillar of Community". The Gabber Newspaper.
- ^ Manning, Margie. "Grandson of St. Pete pioneer Elder Jordan Sr. challenges community to continue the legacy". St Pete Catalyst.
- ^ a b c "The life and legacy of Elder Jordan". The Weekly Challenger. 12 June 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ "Where is the Jordan portrait?". The Weekly Challenger. 2021-10-14. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
- ^ a b Pettiford, Trevor (October 28, 2020). "He Was Born into Slavery But Became a St. Petersburg Legend". Bay News 9. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ "Portraits from the Past". Tampa Bay Times. 9 February 2020. p. B56. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ "Racism shapes family's history in bay area". Tampa Bay Times. 21 May 1997. p. 18. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ "The Manhattan Casino: 'It was all we had'". Tampa Bay Times. 5 July 1999. p. 3B. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ Company, Tampa Publishing. "Passions flare as supporters rally to save historic Jordan Park housing". Tampa Bay Times.
- ^ Wright-Greene, Jada (3 May 2021). Florida's Historic African American Homes. Arcadia Publishing. p. 80. ISBN 978-1-4671-0655-9. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ "African-American Hertiage [sic] Trail – NNB Black History".
- ^ "History immortalized: City of St. Pete unveils bronze statue of Elder Jordan Sr". The Weekly Challenger. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2021.