Jacksonville's Remarkable Women: Cora & Zora

[thelakelander]

A tale of two Jacksonville women...Cora Crane and Zora Neale Hurston. These two remarkable women paint a picture of not only different lives in Jacksonville history, but unique and fascinating women's history in general. Zora Neale Hurston, noted author, is more famous on the world scale than Cora Crane. Crane is largely known as the common law wife of Stephen Crane (author of the Red Badge of Courage) and proprietress of "sporting houses" (aka brothels) in LaVilla and Jacksonville Beach. But both women led incredibly rich lives, particularly during times when women's roles were proscribed and freedoms limited. As the saying goes, a well-behaved woman never makes history.

Full story: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/jacksonvilles-remarkable-women-cora-zora/

[Adam White]

Zora Neale Hurston is pretty well appreciated. Can't say the same for Crane, though I think her contributions to American history and culture aren't quite of the same calibre as Hurston's.

[thelakelander]

You think Hurston is properly appreciated in Jax? We ran a bulldozer right through the family flower shop a couple of years ago. There's no big local jazz and blues scene in the early 20th century without Cora and the red light district her brothel anchored. They employed musicians like Jelly Roll Morton and Pat Chappelle.

[Adam White]

You think Hurston is probably appreciated in Jax? We ran a bulldozer right through the family flower shop a couple of years ago.

TBH, I wasn't thinking so much of Jax, but in general. I do appreciate that her family's flower shop was torn down, though I question the historic significance of it. She spent a few years in Jax - but has far, far stronger ties elsewhere. I remember arguing about this with Stephen years ago.

In any event, she is pretty well appreciated for her work (which is what I was referring to). We certainly studied her in school (in Jax) and she is known internationally.

[thelakelander]

Zora is very appreciated "outside" of Jacksonville. No debate there.

I do appreciate that her family's flower shop was torn down, though I question the historic significance of it. She spent a few years in Jax - but has far, far stronger ties elsewhere. I remember arguing about this with Stephen years ago.

Part of her not being as appreciated here as she should be is this exact storyline that she only spent a few years in Jax and has far, far stronger ties elsewhere. An in depth dive into her life suggests these other places have done a far greater job at promoting their ties with her moreso than Jax has. Most of Zora's life was in and out of Jax and closely affiliated with the Hurston residence in the Eastside (which the flower shop was a part significant of). Not only did she go to school here during her teenage years, two of her husbands were from here, her best friend was from here and much of her WPA work was done here.  These are stories we really don't tell the way they do in Eatonville, Fort Pierce, Harlem, Polk County and other places she lived for brief periods of her life.

There's two great books worth reading I'd recommend that highlight a bit more of her time in Jax:

1. Zora Neale Hurston In and Around Jacksonville, FL in the 1920's, 1930's and 1940's by M. Alene Murrell

2. Remembering Neighborhoods of Jacksonville, Florida: Oakland, Campbell's Addition, East Jacksonville and Fairfield. The African-American Influence by Mary F. Mungen

With this in mind, I also don't believe learning about Zora Neale Hurston and other Jax greats is the norm at DCPS these days. Half these kids and young adults don't even know who A. Philip Randolph is.

[Adam White]

Zora is very appreciated "outside" of Jacksonville. No debate there.

I do appreciate that her family's flower shop was torn down, though I question the historic significance of it. She spent a few years in Jax - but has far, far stronger ties elsewhere. I remember arguing about this with Stephen years ago.

Part of her not being as appreciated here as she should be is this exact storyline that she only spent a few years in Jax and has far, far stronger ties elsewhere. An in depth dive into her life suggests these other places have done a far greater job at promoting their ties with her moreso than Jax has. Most of Zora's life was in and out of Jax and closely affiliated with the Hurston residence in the Eastside (which the flower shop was a part significant of). Not only did she go to school here during her teenage years, two of her husbands were from here, her best friend was from here and much of her WPA work was done here.  These are stories we really don't tell the way they do in Eatonville, Fort Pierce, Harlem, Polk County and other places she lived for brief periods of her life.

There's two great books worth reading I'd recommend that highlight a bit more of her time in Jax:

1. Zora Neale Hurston In and Around Jacksonville, FL in the 1920's, 1930's and 1940's by M. Alene Murrell

2. Remembering Neighborhoods of Jacksonville, Florida: Oakland, Campbell's Addition, East Jacksonville and Fairfield. The African-American Influence by Mary F. Mungen

With this in mind, I also don't believe learning about Zora Neale Hurston and other Jax greats is the norm at DCPS these days. Half these kids and young adults don't even know who A. Philip Randolph is.

I guess my point was that her body of work is pretty well known and appreciated. Where someone lived for a few years (and went to school or had a family) isn't all that important - at least not in determining how well 'appreciated' they are. Do you know (off the top of your head) where John Keats grew up or where William Wordsworth went to school? Probably not - and most people don't. But we'd not argue they aren't appreciated.

But I get what you mean about Jax not making a big enough deal about Hurston's connections to the city. But I didn't get that point from the article. In fact, it seems to say the opposite:

Ultimately, both women died alone and underappreciated. Cora died at 45 after a stroke, in Pablo (Jacksonville) Beach, where she also operated a brothel. She had spent the last few years of her life primarily at Pablo Beach, often alone, not quite recovering from the murder scandal. After her death, her life and writing gained more attention as a story in its own right, and not just because of her affiliation with Stephen Crane.

Zora died at 69, also having suffered a stroke prior to death, in St. Lucie County. She was living in poverty and obscurity at the end of her life, with none of her books in print, working as a substitute teacher and maid. Her writing gained more acclaim and recognition after her death, is now well-known as required reading, and has been made into television and films. Her home in Fort Pierce is a National Historic Landmark.

Both women are buried in Florida. Cora is here in Evergreen Cemetery in Jacksonville, and Zora is at the Garden of Heavenly Rest in Fort Pierce. Alice Walker, noted author, famously honored Zora's unmarked resting place by having a marker placed in her memory.

Despite their lives ending at a time when both women were underrecognized, today their legacies live on and they have been properly acknowledged for their contributions to history, especially Zora. Both women have collections housed at major universities: Cora's at Columbia, and Zora's at the University of Florida. The University of Florida will be highlighting Zora's collection from April 5-7 at libraries across Gainesville as part of Black Women's History Month. These two trailblazing women associated with Jacksonville deserve more attention in local history and telling the diverse story of our community.

[Tacachale]

^I'd say that Cora Crane isn't very well known except as a footnote to the story of Stephen Crane. She's a rare case where she's probably better known in Jacksonville than outside of it, although we don't have much about her (or Stephen Crane). Hurston had become fairly obscure by the time she died, despite all of her accomplishments. It's true that in the last 40 years she's become much better recognized and valued as a major figure in African-American and 20th-century literature. But I'd say that locally, she's not as widely known as she should be as a major literary figure with a strong connection to the city.

[Adam White]

^I'd say that Cora Crane isn't very well known except as a footnote to the story of Stephen Crane. She's a rare case where she's probably better known in Jacksonville than outside of it, although we don't have much about her (or Stephen Crane). Hurston had become fairly obscure by the time she died, despite all of her accomplishments. It's true that in the last 40 years she's become much better recognized and valued as a major figure in African-American and 20th-century literature. But I'd say that locally, she's not as widely known as she should be as a major literary figure with a strong connection to the city.

I totally agree about Crane, but to be fair, she is probably more important to the history of Jax than to a lot of other places. But I admit I didn't learn about her in school!

[thelakelander]

Zora is very appreciated "outside" of Jacksonville. No debate there.

I do appreciate that her family's flower shop was torn down, though I question the historic significance of it. She spent a few years in Jax - but has far, far stronger ties elsewhere. I remember arguing about this with Stephen years ago.

Part of her not being as appreciated here as she should be is this exact storyline that she only spent a few years in Jax and has far, far stronger ties elsewhere. An in depth dive into her life suggests these other places have done a far greater job at promoting their ties with her moreso than Jax has. Most of Zora's life was in and out of Jax and closely affiliated with the Hurston residence in the Eastside (which the flower shop was a part significant of). Not only did she go to school here during her teenage years, two of her husbands were from here, her best friend was from here and much of her WPA work was done here.  These are stories we really don't tell the way they do in Eatonville, Fort Pierce, Harlem, Polk County and other places she lived for brief periods of her life.

There's two great books worth reading I'd recommend that highlight a bit more of her time in Jax:

1. Zora Neale Hurston In and Around Jacksonville, FL in the 1920's, 1930's and 1940's by M. Alene Murrell

2. Remembering Neighborhoods of Jacksonville, Florida: Oakland, Campbell's Addition, East Jacksonville and Fairfield. The African-American Influence by Mary F. Mungen

With this in mind, I also don't believe learning about Zora Neale Hurston and other Jax greats is the norm at DCPS these days. Half these kids and young adults don't even know who A. Philip Randolph is.

I guess my point was that her body of work is pretty well known and appreciated.

Yes, this was never in debate. Zora has become well known outside of Jax. However, does Jax promote and appreciate her contributions like the other places she's affiliated with do? No, I think it's hard to present an argument claiming it does.

Where someone lived for a few years (and went to school or had a family) isn't all that important - at least not in determining how well 'appreciated' they are. Do you know (off the top of your head) where John Keats grew up or where William Wordsworth went to school? Probably not - and most people don't. But we'd not argue they aren't appreciated.

There's a process for landmarking buildings that exceeds how we may personally feel about a space or its worthiness for preservation. Here's Jax's:

The Jacksonville Historic Preservation Commission determines whether a property meets the criteria for designation as a landmark or landmark site. The Commission forwards an advisory recommendation to the City Council, accompanied by a report of findings. In general, a structure must be at least 50 years old and meet at least two of the following criteria:

1. It has value as a significant reminder of the cultural, historical, architectural, or archaeological heritage of the city, state or nation;

2. Its location is the site of a significant local, state or national event;

3. It is identified with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the development of the city, state or nation;

4. It is identified as the work of a master builder, designer, or architect whose individual work has influenced the development of the city, state or nation;

5. Its value as a building is recognized for the quality of architecture, and it retains sufficient elements showing its architectural significance;

6. It has distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style valuable for the study of a period, method of construction, or use of indigenous materials;

7. Its suitability for preservation or restoration.

http://www.coj.net/departments/planning-and-development/community-planning-division/default/historic-designation

Under this criteria, the house she lived in Jax was landmarked after members of the community spoke out against the recently demolished flower shop next door. If given the chance, the flower shop would have as well.

But I get what you mean about Jax not making a big enough deal about Hurston's connections to the city. But I didn't get that point from the article. In fact, it seems to say the opposite:

Ultimately, both women died alone and underappreciated. Cora died at 45 after a stroke, in Pablo (Jacksonville) Beach, where she also operated a brothel. She had spent the last few years of her life primarily at Pablo Beach, often alone, not quite recovering from the murder scandal. After her death, her life and writing gained more attention as a story in its own right, and not just because of her affiliation with Stephen Crane.

Zora died at 69, also having suffered a stroke prior to death, in St. Lucie County. She was living in poverty and obscurity at the end of her life, with none of her books in print, working as a substitute teacher and maid. Her writing gained more acclaim and recognition after her death, is now well-known as required reading, and has been made into television and films. Her home in Fort Pierce is a National Historic Landmark.

Both women are buried in Florida. Cora is here in Evergreen Cemetery in Jacksonville, and Zora is at the Garden of Heavenly Rest in Fort Pierce. Alice Walker, noted author, famously honored Zora's unmarked resting place by having a marker placed in her memory.

Despite their lives ending at a time when both women were underrecognized, today their legacies live on and they have been properly acknowledged for their contributions to history, especially Zora. Both women have collections housed at major universities: Cora's at Columbia, and Zora's at the University of Florida. The University of Florida will be highlighting Zora's collection from April 5-7 at libraries across Gainesville as part of Black Women's History Month. These two trailblazing women associated with Jacksonville deserve more attention in local history and telling the diverse story of our community.

The article pretty much states what I meant by both of them being underappreciated locally. The both deserve more attention in local history and telling the diverse story of our community.

[sandyshoes]

What a wonderful article...it's important that Zora's childhood home be designated as historically significant if that will protect it from the bulldozer a while longer.  Somebody with good strong legs, please take this ball and run with it...quickly!

[Tacachale]

Zora is very appreciated "outside" of Jacksonville. No debate there.

I do appreciate that her family's flower shop was torn down, though I question the historic significance of it. She spent a few years in Jax - but has far, far stronger ties elsewhere. I remember arguing about this with Stephen years ago.

Part of her not being as appreciated here as she should be is this exact storyline that she only spent a few years in Jax and has far, far stronger ties elsewhere. An in depth dive into her life suggests these other places have done a far greater job at promoting their ties with her moreso than Jax has. Most of Zora's life was in and out of Jax and closely affiliated with the Hurston residence in the Eastside (which the flower shop was a part significant of). Not only did she go to school here during her teenage years, two of her husbands were from here, her best friend was from here and much of her WPA work was done here.  These are stories we really don't tell the way they do in Eatonville, Fort Pierce, Harlem, Polk County and other places she lived for brief periods of her life.

There's two great books worth reading I'd recommend that highlight a bit more of her time in Jax:

1. Zora Neale Hurston In and Around Jacksonville, FL in the 1920's, 1930's and 1940's by M. Alene Murrell

2. Remembering Neighborhoods of Jacksonville, Florida: Oakland, Campbell's Addition, East Jacksonville and Fairfield. The African-American Influence by Mary F. Mungen

With this in mind, I also don't believe learning about Zora Neale Hurston and other Jax greats is the norm at DCPS these days. Half these kids and young adults don't even know who A. Philip Randolph is.

To put it in perspective, Hurston lived in St. Augustine for a much shorter period of her life than Jax. However, they have a Zora Neale Hurston Park and have a historical marker at a house where she rented a room for less than a year. Jacksonville has barely recognized the family property on the Eastside where she spent a far greater portion of her life, and managed to tear down the flower shop that was part of it. We don't have any historical markers or anything up. Hurston is a major writer with a strong connection to Jax and we do essentially nothing with it.