Butler Beach, Florida

Path to the beach cut through the sand dunes at Frank B. Butler State Park, c. 1960
Cars pack the parking area at Butler Beach
Butler Beach, Florida
CDP
Location in St. Johns County and the state of Florida
Location in St. Johns County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 29°48′1″N 81°15′48″W / 29.80028°N 81.26333°W / 29.80028; -81.26333
Country United States
State Florida
County St. Johns
Area
[2]
 • Total2.66 sq mi (6.88 km2)
 • Land2.54 sq mi (6.59 km2)
 • Water0.11 sq mi (0.29 km2)
Elevation
3 ft (1 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total4,978[1]
 • Density1,956.76/sq mi (755.58/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
FIPS code12-09630[1]
GNIS feature ID1867122[3]

Butler Beach is a census-designated place (CDP) in St. Johns County, Florida, United States. The population was 4,978 at the time of the 2020 United States Census, up from 4,951 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Jacksonville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. Established by Frank B. Butler,[4] who had been successful operating a grocery store and became a political activist, it was a resort for African Americans.[5] The Lincolnville businessman bought land in the area between the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River, and offered beach access to African Americans. It was the only beach open to them between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach.[6]

  1. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  2. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ "Frank B. Butler - St Augustine Historical Society". February 24, 2020.
  5. ^ Robertson, Ashley N. (2015). Mary Mcleod Bethune in Florida: Bringing Social Justice to the Sunshine State. Arcadia Publishing. p. 67. ISBN 978-1-62619-983-5.
  6. ^ "The Florida Black Heritage Trail".