Ocoee, FL

Unity Park sits right in the heart of downtown Ocoee, offering a peaceful space near City Hall and Starke Lake that honors an important chapter of local history. The five-acre park features Florida-native landscaping, lighted boardwalks, and a restored wetland area. At its center stands a memorial wall engraved with the names of 263 Black residents who were killed, injured, or driven from their land during the 1920 Election Day Massacre. Unveiled in 2024, the park serves as a quiet everyday walking spot as well as a dedicated gathering place for annual remembrance ceremonies.

ATTR( Ebyabe ) / CC BY 2.5

The memorial directly confronts the tragedy that took place during the November 1920 election, when Black residents in Ocoee were violently attacked by a white mob and local officials for trying to exercise their right to vote. Families were driven out, homes were burned, and Ocoee remained without African American residents for the next sixty years. In recent years, the city has taken meaningful steps toward healing, passing a formal proclamation condemning the violence, issuing a citywide apology, and designating November 1 as an official day of remembrance with a permanent downtown home.

ATTREbyabe / CC BY-SA 3.0

Ocoee's roots trace back to the mid-1800s, when settlers established a small farming community along the shores of Starke Lake. Early pioneer Bluford Sims planted what is considered the first citrus nursery in the United States on land that eventually became the city center. The town drew its name from a Cherokee word tied to the native passion flower, which still appears on the city logo today. Even as the area grew and connected to Greater Orlando, the historic street grid and lakeside neighborhoods along Bluford Avenue held onto their relaxed, small-town character.

ATTRMike Kalasnik from Charlotte, USA / CC BY-SA 2.0

Today, Ocoee pairs that historic lakefront core with plenty of modern conveniences. Downtown by Starke Lake serves as a scenic hub for community events, featuring the Ocoee Lakeshore Center, walking trails, and Bill Breeze Park, which draws crowds for local festivals and Fourth of July fireworks over the water. Just down the road along State Road 50, residents have quick access to shopping plazas, dining, and Health Central Hospital, alongside easy connections to Florida's Turnpike, State Road 429, and State Road 408 for simple commutes across Central Florida.