Lake Alfred in Polk County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Fruitlands Institute
Photographed By Dean Moss McCracken, March 31, 2019
1. Fruitlands Institute Marker
(Continued on other side)
(Continued from other side)
A delegation of Lake Alfred African American citizens petitioned the Polk County Board of Public Instruction to erect a school for their children. Permission was granted and the Fruitlands Institute opened in 1929, named for the local real estate company which donated the land. The school was a Two-Teacher Type funded by African Americans $600, Whites $350, Public $1836, Rosenwald $500. The school was taken down in 1964.
Erected 2018 by The City of Lake Alfred, FL, The Lake Alfred Historical Society and The Polk County Historical Association. (Marker Number PCHC-023.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Rosenwald Schools series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.
Location. 28°
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Fort Cummings (approx. one mile away); First Missionary Baptist Church of Winter Haven (approx. 4.2 miles away); Winter Haven (approx. 4.2 miles away); Florence Villa Training School (approx. 4˝ miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 4.7 miles away); Winter Haven War Memorial (approx. 4.7 miles away); Ephraim M. Baynard House (approx. 4.9 miles away); Bayard Retail Building (approx. 4.9 miles away).
Regarding Fruitlands Institute. The first Rosenwald School opened in 1913 in Loachapoka, Lee County, Alabama about ten miles north of Tuskegee Institute. Booker T. Washington had a vision to build schools across the Jim Crow south for rural African American children. To fund these schools, Washington went north to Chicago, Illinois to pitch his idea to philanthropist and CEO of Sears Roebuck and Company, Julius Rosenwald. Rosenwald was very familiar with Washington and loved his idea. Washington made Rosenwald a trustee of Tuskegee and the two men went to work. Their collaboration would result
Photographed By Dean Moss McCracken, March 31, 2019
2. Fruitlands Institute Marker
On February 3, 1928 a delegation of African Americans from Lake Alfred, Florida came before the Polk County Board of Public Instruction (BPI) requesting a new school house for their children. The delegation was told that if they discontinue their current school for one year, the funds used to pay the teacher would instead be used towards erecting a new schoolhouse.
By September of 1928 the delegation had raised $300 and secured a grant from the Julius Rosenwald Rural School Building Fund. Frank C. Gardner, a founding father of Lake Alfred, and owner of the Fruitlands Real Estate Company donated the land. The BPI approved the request for the new school. The building was completed in time for the 1929 school year. The total cost was $3286. The funding sources were: African Americans $600; Whites $350; Public (taxes) $1836; and the Rosenwald Fund contributed $500.
The building plan used was a two-teacher type, east-west facing school. The school had no electricity or running water. There was a large bank of windows for each classroom. The classrooms were separated by a divider which could be removed for plays or community events. Another bank of windows for the industrial shop was at the front of the school. The children’s desks were situated so that right handed students would not cast a shadow
Photographed By Dean Moss McCracken, March 31, 2019
3. Fruitlands Institute Marker
Looking south on 3rd Street. The building in the background is the Highlands Community Center.
Photographed By Dean Moss McCracken, March 30, 2019
4. Fruitlands Institute Marker
Looking north on 3rd Street. The school to the right of the marker (now closed) was named Fruitland Park Elementary. It was built in 1964 and is said to be the first school in Polk County to be air conditioned.
Photographed By Dean Moss McCracken, November 4, 2015
5. Fruitlands Institute Marker
Fruitlands Institute (front). Ca. 1930. Photo Courtesy; Fisk University.
Photographed By Dean Moss McCracken, November 4, 2015
6. Fruitlands Institute Marker
Fruitlands Institute (rear). Ca. 1930. Photo Courtesy; Fisk University.
Photographed By Dean Moss McCracken, April 2, 2017
7. Fruitlands Institute Marker
Two-Teacher Type, East-West facing, Nashville School Plan No. 20. Diagram Courtesy; historysouth.org.
Photographed By Dean Moss McCracken, March 31, 2019
8. Lake Alfred Historical Society Museum
Research material available here for all five Polk County, FL Rosenwald Schools. 210 N. Seminole Ave. Lake Alfred, FL 33850.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2019, by Dean Moss McCracken of Lakeland, Florida. This page has been viewed 714 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 31, 2019, by Dean Moss McCracken of Lakeland, Florida. 7, 8. submitted on April 5, 2019, by Dean Moss McCracken of Lakeland, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
