If someone would’ve told Mr. Augustus “Gus” Tart that more than a century after his death, people would gather to honor his life and legacy, he probably wouldn’t believe it.
RELATED: Okaloosa NAACP seeks recognition of early pioneer Gus Tart
Not once, but twice, the story of Gus Tart was lost to local history. The formerly enslaved man became an early pioneer and owned more than 135 acres of land in what is now the Town of Shalimar.
Residents and local officials want to make sure his story is not lost again.
“Gus is happy. I know because it was like he was crying out, ‘Don’t forget about me,’” said Diane Dillard, member-at-large of the Okaloosa NAACP, who started the recent efforts to recognize Tart. “I’m just so grateful.”
At the Air Force Armament Museum, not far from the land Tart once owned, over 100 people gathered on Saturday to honor the pioneer in a ceremony that included a congressional resolution from the office of Rep. Jimmy Patronis. The Mayor of Shalimar, Mark Franks, even recognized August 22 as Augustus “Gus” Tart Day. The ceremony was promoted by Okaloosa County's America 250 commission.
“I want you to think about that for a moment,” said Mayor Franks during his remarks. “A man who was born into slavery became a landowner whose property would help shape the community in which we stand today. Let us honor Gus Tart not simply by remembering his name, but by remembering what his life represents, which is freedom, perseverance, dignity, entrepreneurship, community, and the enduring power of a person to leave a mark far greater than he could ever imagine.”
Who is Gus Tart?
Augustus “Gus” Tart was born into slavery in 1840 in South Carolina. He came to Walton County (now Okaloosa County) from Andalusia, Alabama. He was a cook for T.C. Brooks, an early settler of Fort Walton Beach.
Tart died on Nov. 12, 1915, and was buried in a 10-foot by 12-foot plot on his land, where he made a name for himself — “Gus’s place.” A month before he passed, he signed his will leaving his property to the Brooks family.
Jane Brooks and her daughter, Kay, did extensive genealogy research on the Brooks family and discovered records of Tart, who was also referred to as “Uncle Gus.”
“I came with a friend, and I was telling her how rare it is to be able to find this kind of information on a Black person when it was really tough for them to have any kind of life, any kind of friends outside their own community,” explained Kay.
“He was so beloved.”
Tart’s grave was discovered in 1977 during a land survey, but no actions were taken. In 2016, Shalimar Library Board Member Johann Behnken re-discovered the gravesite as the library was preparing to move to Richbourg Avenue. In the deed of the property, it states a 10-by-12-foot plot where Tart was laid to rest had to remain untouched. The Brooks family and library volunteers raised money for a fence and marker for Tart’s site.
Behnken hasn’t been on the board in years, but he was present at Saturday’s event. He was “astonished” by the turnout.
“I never thought it would come to this, but other people picked up from it, and I’m elated to see what it is now,” he said of the work done to recognize Tart.
Articles in the “Pensacola News Journal” and book excerpts share glimpses into Tart’s life on Garnier’s Bayou. He was a skilled outdoorsman who entertained governors, United States senators, congressmen, judges and other prominent figures. It seems he can still bring people together, as evidenced by Saturday’s attendance of state and local officials.
Niceville resident Tina Harris went to the ceremony after learning about it on social media. Like many others, she didn’t know who Gus Tart was. Now, she’s fascinated by him.
“I didn’t realize the history behind the land,” she said. “I just feel proud of my community for stepping forward and acknowledging this person who was enslaved.”
Honoring a legacy
Earlier this year, Dillard and a special committee with the Okaloosa NAACP gave a presentation to the Shalimar Town Council asking for their assistance to properly recognize Tart, with the main goal being a state historical marker. Since then, Tart’s story was added to the Town of Shalimar’s website, and the town council erected a sign which points to Tart’s gravesite.
Statcia McNeese and his wife, Kay, spent countless hours researching and gathering documentation on Tart’s land and its sales and conveyances. There were plenty of “rabbit holes” they went down, he said.
“If it wasn’t for Diane’s tenaciousness, we wouldn’t be here,” he said, adding that he felt “complete” after the ceremony.
For Dillard, she’ll feel complete when a historical marker bears the name of Gus Tart. She hopes it will lead to more insight about the man. Maybe even a photo. Of all the documents and scraps of history collected, there is not a known photo of Tart.
“I think things happen when they’re supposed to happen,” she said. “This is just the beginning. Hopefully, somebody else will take it and go further with it.”
