Sanford Augustus Brookins (1877–1968), also known as Sanford Augustus Brookings, was an American architect, builder, and businessperson.[1] In the early 20th-century, he was one of two African-American architect-builders in Jacksonville, Florida.[2] He was instrumental in the formation of a few key neighborhoods including Sugar Hill, Durkee Gardens, and Riverside within Jacksonville; and the seaside community of American Beach.
Sanford Augustus Brookins | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 9, 1877 |
| Died | June 22, 1968 (aged 91) |
| Other names | Sanford Augustus Brookings, Sanford Brookins, S. A. Brookins |
| Education | Dorchester Academy |
| Occupation(s) | Architect, builder, construction firm owner, businessperson |
| Years active | 1916–1965 |
| Spouse | Leola Calloway |
Biography
editSanford Augustus Brookins was born on May 9, 1877, in Macon, Georgia.[2] He attended the Dorchester Academy in Liberty County, Georgia.[2]
In 1904, Brookins moved to Jacksonville, Florida eventually settling in the Sugar Hill neighborhood.[3] He worked as a construction foreman for twelve years, before starting his own residential construction business in 1916.[2][4] Brookins primarily designed and built houses in the Sugar Hill neighborhood; the newer neighborhood of Durkee Gardens; and Riverside, a historically white neighborhood.[2] He is also credited with designing two beach cottages at American Beach, an early oceanfront resort developed specifically for African Americans in Florida.[2] By 1925, he had designed and built more than 150 residential buildings.[4]
He retired in 1965, and had moved to Compton, California.[3] Brookins died June 22, 1968, in Compton.[3][5]
Works
edit- Brookins residence, 601 West 8th Street (1924), Sugar Hill, Jacksonville, Florida[2][4]
- 2336 Gilmore Street (1925), Riverside, Jacksonville, Florida[4]
- 2152 Herschel Street (1925), Riverside, Jacksonville, Florida[4]
- 5485 Waldron Street (1936), Jacksonville, Florida[4]
- 1187 West 10th Street (1940), Jacksonville, Florida[4]
- 1197 Durkee Drive North (1941), Jacksonville, Florida[4]
- 1125 West 8th Avenue (1944), Jacksonville, Florida[4]
- 1189 Durkee Drive North (1945), Jacksonville, Florida[4]
- 5475 Gregg Street (1949), American Beach, Florida; part of the NRHP-listed historic district[4][6]
- Brookins cottage, 5485 Waldon Street, American Beach, Florida[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "State Grant Will Help Jacksonville Recognize Underrepresented Communities". WJCT News. 2018-10-01. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Wilson, Dreck Spurlock, ed. (2004), "Sanford Augustus Brookins (1877–1968)", African American Architects, Routledge, doi:10.4324/9780203493120-16, retrieved 2023-02-24
- ^ a b c Davis, Ennis (February 22, 2019). "Five Early Jacksonville African American Architects". The Jaxson (magazine). Retrieved 2023-02-24.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Davis, Ennis (February 17, 2020). "Jacksonville's early black architects". Modern Cities. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
- ^ "California Death Index, 1940-1997, Sanford A Brookins, 22 Jun 1968". Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento, California.
- ^ "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: American Beach Historic District". National Park Service. Retrieved February 24, 2023. With accompanying pictures