1923 Massacre
Rosewood
Levy County, Florida
A self-sufficient majority-Black town in Levy County, Florida, destroyed by a white mob in January 1923 over a fabricated accusation against a Black man by a white woman. The mob burned every Black home and structure in the town. Survivors fled into surrounding swamps and never returned to rebuild. In 1994, the State of Florida passed a compensation bill awarding survivors and their direct descendants reparations — the first such measure in the country.
Editorial Note
A full editorial profile of Rosewood — including primary sources, archival photographs, and a visitor guide — is in development. Subscribe to be notified when it publishes. To suggest sources or corrections, write us at editors@black-history.com.