Historical Goulds

Historical Goulds

The area known today as Goulds was homestead in 1900 by William Johnson and William Randolph. The land owned between the two, covered a fairly large area between the Black Creek canal and SW 224 Street to the south on both sides of Old Dixie Highway. Mr. Johnson's portion was later purchased by D.D. Cail who built rental housing, a

restaurant, and packing houses. Mr. Randolph sold and gave away much of his homestead to other African Americans. His land was subdivided into the Goulds Addition and Sugar Hill. Five acres of this land were later used to build Mays Middle School and Pine Villa Eleme

The community acquired its name from the statio which was built at SW 216 Street during the construction of the Florida East Coast railroad arc and 1903. It was known as the "Gould's Siding" named after its operator, Mr. Lyman Gou d, who cut trees for railroad ties. The siding at Goulds became home to a host of businesses and enter of the community. In early times, the economy was dependent upon farming. Most of t e buildings were packing houses, workers quarters, and houses. The Store Porch at SW 220 treet, just south of the siding, was one of the earliest businesses. Here Goulds residents would congregate and buy dry goods, food, and tools. Entertainment was found in the form of billiards r gambling, and movies at the movie house close by.

The two oldest congregations in Goulds are the . Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, founded in 1914, and the New Bethel A.M.E. Church, fou ded in 1917. The original church buildings were destroyed, along with many other buildings, during the hurricane of 1926. New church buildings weren't completed until 1952 and 1961, respectively.

Both congregations were involved in educating the community's children. Early on Mr. Mays and Mr. Cail, founding members of the Mt. Pleasant Church, approached the County School Board about initiating a school for African American children as there were none in the area. Mr. and Mrs. Mays drove the school bus that transpo d children from Modello, Naranja, Princeton, and Goulds to the new school. The original schoo building is now home to the library and media center at Mays Middle School.

Many of the families who first populated the area still live in Goulds. Second and third generation residents have attended the same schools as their parents. Mays Middle School is a central gathering place for the community. It is where parades begin and end, and the surrounding play fields are often used for festivals such as Founder Day, which is held in the beginning of March.