Designating the historically black community of Royal on the National Register of Historic Places may provide additional protection against encroaching development.
In a recent letter to Sumter County Chairman Don Wiley, Ruben Acosta, chief of the National Park Service’s Bureau of Historic Preservation, wrote that Royal was listed officially on Feb. 26.
Located on Wildwood’s west side, Royal is bounded roughly by county roads 475, 326A, 223 and State Road 44, according to a 2023 map.
Founded soon after the Civil War, Royal’s original residents were freed slaves given 40 acres and a mule by the government. Ancestors of these settlers still live on the property.
Concerned about development, Royal residents sought the National Register listing for years.
When Sumter County commissioners mapped economic activity centers three years ago, they included an area along U.S. 301 past Royal and Coleman that includes three industrial parks.
Royal residents objected, claiming the area was too close to their community.
They also opposed industrial development along Interstate 75 and CR 475.
Earlier, residents successfully fought a proposed extension of the Florida Turnpike that would have cut through their community.