Shady Park Memorial to Honor Hannibal Square Pioneers

Share This:

A new addition to Shady Park will honor four Hannibal Square residents whose contributions shaped the history of Winter Park.

The Shady Park Pioneer Memorial will include busts of Ideal Womans’ Club founder Mary Lee DePugh (1878-1949), activist and founder of the Winter Park Advocate newspaper Gustavus Christopher “Gus” Henderson (1862-1917), and the first Black men elected to Winter Park government office: Frank R. Israel (1848-1925) and Walter B. Simpson (1859-1915).

Historic images of Gus Henderson and Mary Lee DePugh are shown with the only known photo of Frank R. Israel and Walter B. Simpson, pictured sitting on either side of Henderson as he holds a copy of his newspaper, Winter Park Advocate.

Work on the memorial began in 2022 after the decision to remove the splash pad at Winter Park Community Center was approved. Conversations with residents helped to guide the purpose and design of what was to take its place. “We had meetings for public input and discussions with the Parks & Recreation Department and the CRA,” Hannibal Square resident and community leader Mary Daniels told the32789. “Our goals were, and are, to preserve history and to recognize the significance of the Hannibal Square community and these four key pioneers of many.”

Construction is taking place by Shady Park at the former splash pad area. Image courtesy of: City of Winter Park.

The project was funded by the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and designed by artist George Gadson with construction managed by the Parks & Recreation Department. “The city is very proud to present this beautiful memorial honoring the pioneers of Hannibal Square,” said Mayor Sheila DeCiccio. “It is our hope that residents and visitors will always remember and appreciate the history of our wonderful Hannibal Square community.”

Construction is nearing completion and city leaders will join members of the community for the unveiling and dedication on Saturday, Aug. 3, at 10 a.m. The ceremony will take place in Shady Park, adjacent to the Winter Park Community Center at 721 W. New England Ave. Guests will then visit the Hannibal Square Heritage Center, located adjacent to the park at 642 W. New England Avenue.

Hannibal Square Heritage Center was established in 2007 as a tribute to past, present, and future contributions of Winter Park’s historic African American community.

Share This:

Have a story idea? Send us a note at news@the32789.com. Follow our stories on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

If you value local journalism, please support our work by joining The Flock for as little as $7 per month.

Our Sponsors

the32789 Weekly

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Want News in Your Inbox?
the32789 Weekly brings all the Winter Park news you missed straight to your inbox. Sign up for updates every Sunday morning.
Want News in Your Inbox?
the32789 Weekly brings all the Winter Park news you missed straight to your inbox. Sign up for updates every Sunday morning.