Interview with Lois Dolphus Martin on Pearl City – ca. 1984 - 1985

Lois Dolphus Martin was born at Yamato in Boca Raton on September 23, 1928. Her parents came here from Georgia because of the farming opportunities and good livelihood which could be earned. Lois’ family lived in Yamato as squatters, saving their earnings until they could buy the piece of property in Pearl City where she still lives. Pearl City is an African American Community located in Boca Raton between Northeast Tenth Street to north of Glades Road between Dixie and Federal Highways. Today, Pearl City is one of Boca Raton’s designated historic districts. This interview is one in a series conducted from 1984-85 by sociologist Dr. Arthur Evans of Florida Atlantic University. The information gathered from these interviews was used for the compilation of “Pearl City, An Analysis of the Folk History,” by Sharon Wells, The Spanish River Papers, v. XV (1986-87) and the book Pearl City, Florida: A Black Community Remembers, by Dr. Arthur S. Evans, Jr. and David Lee (1990). For additional information concerning Pearl City go to the Boca Raton Historical Society's website www.bocahistory.org