Our History
Honoring Our Heritage..
Rooted in Legacy…
The Gavin Walker family is a founding family of Sanibel Island, Florida, and their history is marked by hard work, ingenuity, and a strong sense of community.
The Gavins were one of the first Black families to settle on Sanibel in the early 1900s. Isaiah and Hannah Gavin were the first to arrive in 1917 from Walkulla County, Tallahassee.
The Gavins and Walkers became intertwined when Edmond Gavin, an offspring of Isaiah and Hannah Gavin, married Elnora Walker. Their union not only blended the two families but also fostered growth and connection through their families and children.
As each generation emerged, the ties between the families deepened, creating a rich tapestry of shared experiences, traditions, and legacies, that shaped their collective history,
The Gavins and Walkers were known for their hard work and contributions to the early Sanibel community. Edmond Gavin created inventions, like a belt saw made from a car’s drive train, to make field work easier. The children collected seashells to sell as souvenirs.
The Gavin and Walkers helped other islanders by providing services like landscaping and tree removal. They were also pioneers for education and social action for African Americans on Sanibel. Issac Johnson, a descendant of the Walker family founded the first school for African American students in 1922. Mozella Jordan was instrumental in integrating church and school on Sanibel.
They supported other families, and some say that without their contributions, white families might not have been able to stay on the island.