Hannibal Square Winter Park History: African American Heritage & Gentrification in 2025
Discover the legacy of this historic Black neighborhood and the challenges it faces today
The Hannibal Square Winter Park history is a powerful story of resilience, community, and change. As a historic African American neighborhood in Winter Park, Florida, Hannibal Square has shaped the city’s past while confronting modern pressures like gentrification and rising costs.
My name is Ella Mae Johnson, born in Hannibal Square in the 1950s. As a little Black girl, I played in the streets where my grandparents built their home after coming here to work. Today, in 2025, I’ve had to sell our family home because property taxes rose too high amid luxury developments. This is my story—and the story of Hannibal Square Winter Park history.
The Origins of Hannibal Square Winter Park History
Founded in 1881, Hannibal Square became Winter Park’s historic African American neighborhood. Black residents provided the labor to build the resort town and its famous Park Avenue. In 1887, residents elected Black aldermen, a significant achievement in post-Reconstruction Florida.
Today, the Hannibal Square Heritage Center preserves oral histories, photographs, and artifacts from this vibrant community.
Demographics Then and Now in Hannibal Square Winter Park
Historically, Hannibal Square was predominantly Black. In 2025, Winter Park’s total population is approximately 30,835, with a much smaller percentage of Black residents due to decades of demographic shifts and economic pressures.
| Category | Historical (Late 1800s) | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Population | Small Black community in Hannibal Square | ~30,835 |
| Black/African American % | Majority in Hannibal Square | Small percentage |
| Median Household Income | N/A | $98,076 |
Home Prices & Gentrification in Hannibal Square Winter Park 2025
Winter Park home prices in 2025 range from $549,000 to $749,000 median, with historic neighborhoods like Hannibal Square experiencing sharp increases in property taxes due to luxury developments and gentrification. For more on current trends, see Redfin’s Winter Park housing market report.
The taxes on our family home became unaffordable as new luxury builds surrounded us. Selling was heartbreaking, but necessary.
Preserving Hannibal Square Winter Park History Today
Despite challenges, organizations like the Hannibal Square Heritage Center continue to educate and preserve the neighborhood’s rich African American heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hannibal Square Winter Park History
What is Hannibal Square Winter Park history?
Hannibal Square was founded in 1881 as Winter Park’s historic African American neighborhood, home to laborers who built the city and elected Black aldermen in the late 1800s.
How has gentrification affected Hannibal Square?
Gentrification has brought commercial development, rising property values, and displacement, transforming this historic Black community while preservation efforts continue.
What are Winter Park home prices in 2025?
Median home prices in Winter Park range from $549,000 to $749,000 in 2025, with historic areas seeing sharp tax increases.
Connect with a Local Black Realtor
If you’re interested in Winter Park real estate with cultural sensitivity, explore Black-owned realtors through Black Owned Florida.