Woolworth's is known for its importance to the 1950s and 1960s Civil Rights sit-ins. On February 1, 1960, students in North Carolina organized a sit-in at a Woolworth's whites-only lunch counter and this inspired the black youth all across the South. Soon after, six students from Florida Memorial College had the first sit-in in St. Augustine at Woolworth's.

In 1963, high school students named Samuel White, Audrey Nell Edwards, JoeAnn Anderson, and Willie Carl Singleton organized their own sit-in at the St. Augustine location. They were arrested and the judge ordered an end to their protesting, but they refused. Instead, they spent six months in jail and reform school. This group of students and their legal case is known as The St. Augustine Four. The governor of Florida ordered their release in 1964 after their case gained national attention, including praise from Jackie Robinson and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In the early 21st century, Atlantis Resort Wear & Gifts moved into the old Woolworth's store. In 2013, a Wells Fargo bank branch was located here which lasted until 202-. A section of the Woolsworth counter and four seats were saved and in 2014 installed as a static exhibit within the bank. In the late 2010s, these pieces were given to the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center for permenant display.

This location is currently under renovation.]]> Morris Lapidus]]> The following books, articles, websites, and photographers were used to find the above photographs or illustrations:

Photograph 1 (c.1950s): “Ponce de Leon Shopping Center - St. Augustine, Florida.” N039716. Located on Florida Memory: State Library and Archives of Florida. https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/147963.

Photograph 2 (2023): Augusty, Jean-Marc "Woolworth Store." March 4, 2023.

Photograph 3 (2023): Augusty, Jean-Marc. "Woolworth's Store Door." March 4, 2023.

The following books, articles, and/or websites were used to find information about this location:

Accord Freedom Trail. “1.Accord Freedom Trail Site – 31 King Street: Location of Woolworth’s Department Store – Downtown.”  2011. https://accordfreedomtrail.org/31King.html.

Eubanks, Gerald. The Dark Before Dawn: From Civil Wrongs to Civil Light. iUniverse, 2012.

Rajtar, Steve, and Kelly Goodman. A Guide to Historic St. Augustine, Florida. 1^st edition. The History Press, 2007.

The St. Augustine Record. “Historic Civil Rights era Woolworth's counter installed at King Street Wells Fargo in St. Augustine.” July 26, 2014. Located on The Florida Times-Union. https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/2014/07/26/historic-civil-rights-era-woolworths-counter-installed-king-street-wells/15791459007/.]]> King Street.]]>
Forcing Change
Hydra Pit
Once to Every Man
Sugar Cage]]> St. Augustine, FL 32084]]>