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January 20, 1939
William and Corneal Jackson (Negro)
#14 Eaton Park.
Lakeland, Florida
(Phosphate Miner)
Paul Diggs, writer (Negro)
Veronica E. Huss, reviser

WILLIAM AND CORNEAL JACKSON

At Eaton Park, six miles from Lakeland, Florida, off the Bartow road
#2 and across from the Ruth Alderman Airport, I found the Negro quarters
of the Southern Phosphate Corporation. At one time this section of the
country was the heart of the mining activities, but now operations are
located at Sand Gully, beginning on the outskirts of South Lakeland.

Situated in the center of the high mounds left by the process of phos-
phate mining, and partially surrounded by miniature lakes made by these
same excavations, were 28 houses, including one for single men. Similar
in construction, painted white and trimmed in green, they faced both sides
of the road entering the quarters.

Guarding the main entrance off road #2 were two filling stations. Be-
hind the one to the right was a small weatherboarded building, harmonious-
ly painted white and green and serving the dual purpose of school and church.
A small space of ground on the south side of the school was used as a play-
ground. Near the front door a heavy piece of iron was suspended between
two posts. When struck it resounded loudly, calling children and adults
alike. The interior of this building was not ceiled. The blackboards,
made from painted beaver-board, were nailed to the walls. The teacher,
Edith McFall, used a homemade desk and bench. The day of my visit she had
borrowed a chair to use, stating that the bench made her back tired when

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