Future of Hungerford property sparks more debate in Eatonville

EATONVILLE, Fla. — The future of Eatonville’s historic Hungerford property is at the center of a new proposed deal.

The plan, which would transfer the 117-acre Hungerford property from Orange County Public Schools to Dr. Phillips Charities, goes before the school board for a vote on Sept. 30.

If approved, Dr. Phillips Charities officials have said they will work with the town on a master plan shaped by residents.

Eatonville Mayor Angie Gardner supports the agreement, calling it “an important step to protect Eatonville’s legacy.”

Dr. Phillips Charities officials also said the plan would “help expand access to education, the arts and health care, while creating opportunities for growth.”

The proposal sets up a multiyear plan for the land. 

Eatonville’s town council held a special meeting Thursday evening to discuss the future of the historic Hungerford property.

Council members have come out against the proposed land sale.

Residents also got the chance to speak during public comment. Each was given three minutes to give their thoughts on the potential move.

Most said they oppose the sale, calling the property a historic part of Eatonville that should not be given away just for money.

Others say the deal needs to happen in order to bring investment and opportunities to the town.

“I don’t know about y’all, but I don’t ever ask God about where my blessing is coming from. I just want the blessing. So, this a blessing for the town and future residents. And I will say this, everyone who makes the vote against it, remember, there will be an election,” Eatonville resident Michelle Ford said.

“To me, it’s a bad deal. It goes against the foundation and principles of Eatonville,” said Julian Johnson, president and founder of 1887 First. “We purchased this land back in the day to build a sustainable community for ourselves, and I think this deal takes the historical character out of Eatonville.”

Johnson also said the process felt unfair, adding, “They came in disguise. Like, ‘We’re here to help. …’ But we caught some of the discrepancies in their contract and their proposal. We just saw disingenuous behavior from them early.”

Orange County Public Schools reacted to the meeting Thursday.

“We are disappointed in the outcome of the Town of Eatonville’s council meeting; however, we remain optimistic that this proposed plan will ultimately move forward. This initiative represents a transformative opportunity for the Town of Eatonville, made possible through the generosity of Dr. Phillips Charities, and holds the potential to bring lasting benefits to our families and students,” OCPS Media Relations Admnistrator Michael Ollendorff said in a statement. 

Eatonville is one of the oldest historically Black towns in the United States, located between Orlando and Winter Park.

In 1899, Robert Hungerford and his wife donated 40 acres of land to the Hungerford School Public Charitable Trust, and the Hungerford School was founded as a private school, the first school for Black children in Central Florida. The site was meant to provide a private school and a junior college or trade school in Eatonville for African American children, according to his great-grandaughter, Bea Hatler. In total, and over the years, 160 acres were donated.

In 1951, the Orange County School Board acquired the title to the Hungerford property, but with a deed restriction designed to reflect the original intention of the charitable trust. The land is also the former site of Robert Hungerford Preparatory High School, which at one time was — along with Jones in Orlando — one of only two Black schools in Orange County.

In recent years, several potential plans for the property have been abandoned among objections from the Eatonville community and legal complaints that the land would be used for other purposes.