Founded in 1865, the community of Royal was originally known as Picketsville, which was named for the white picket fences that marked its 40-acre homesteads. It was settled by former slaves from the Old Green Plantation located on the Withlacoochee River. Royal is one of Florida’s oldest African American communities; come and enjoy the ’40 Acres & A Mule Experience’ at the Alonzo A. Young, Sr. Enrichment & Historical Center hosted by Young Performing Artists (YPAs), Inc.