Frenchtown Apartments for Rent

Bordered by Seventh Avenue and Alabama Street to the north, Tennessee Street to the south, Bronough Street to the east, and Woodward Avenue to the west, Frenchtown is an historic residential neighborhood located in Tallahassee, Florida.

During the American War of Independence, Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, loaned some money to the United States Government. To thank him, years later, he was offered the ”Lafayette Land Grant,” basically a gift consisting of his choice of any township in the United States. Land near Tallahassee was selected and several of Lafayette’s acquaintances came to the area. Some Frenchmen found the climate too warm and moved to the French city of New Orleans or returned to France. Those settlers who decided to stay occupied this area instead, and it was called ”Frenchtown.”

After the civil war, Frenchtown saw growth and development. In the early 20th century, this neighborhood was bustling with activities and growing businesses. American musician Ray Charles lived in Frenchtown from 1940 to 1945. Nat Adderley and Cannonball Adderley also played with Ray Charles in the early 1940s and are buried in Frenchtown. The area of Frenchtown saw a period of some decline, but was followed by aggressive revitalization.

Today, Frecnchtown boasts the Frenchtown Renaissance Center, a 70,000-square foot office complex and symbol of Frenchtown’s revitalization. Other projects such as the Urban Entertainment Center and Frenchtown Village Marketplace are also underway. The small F.D. Lee Park was developed in honor of Officer F. D. Lee, the first African American to serve Tallahassee’s police force. A statue was erected in his memory.

Parents of school age children have Ruediger Elementary School off West 10th Avenue, Griffin Middle School right off Alabama Street, and Amos P. Godby High School off West Tharpe Street nearby. Florida State University is a few blocks away.

Frenchtown is home to about 3,475 residents.