Bradenton in Manatee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Manatee Academy
side 1
The first advanced school erected in Manatee County was built about 200 feet east of this site on land deeded 15 August 1876 expressly for education and cultural purposes by Edmund Lee and his third wife, Elizabeth, to Trustees of the Joint Stock Company. The construction of the Academy was by private subscription, but it was maintained by public funds. No tuition was required. The school house was a single small frame one story rectangular building with a traditional bell housed in a cupola. The attic provided a meeting place for members of the Grange and Free Masons and was reached by outside stairs.
The building did not become public property
Electa Arcotte Lee (born c.1807 – died 1860)
About 150 feet northeast of the Academy, Electa A. Lee taught the first school in Manatee County in the 1840’s and 1850’s. Mrs. Lee came to this area with her husband, Reverend Edmund Lee, a Presbyterian minister in 1844. The private school was a room over her husband’s store which was attached to the Lee home. The fee was $5.00 per term.
Erected by Manatee County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is September 18, 1895.
Location. 27° 29.756′ N, 82° 32.696′ W. Marker is in Bradenton, Florida, in Manatee County. Marker is at the intersection of Manatee Avenue East (State Road 64) and 17th Street East, on the right when traveling east on Manatee Avenue East. The marker is located in front of the Manatee Elementary School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1674 Manatee Avenue East, Bradenton FL 34208, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Edmund Lee Family Graveyard and the Lonesome Grave/William R. Whitaker House (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Edmund Lee Family Pioneer Cemetery (about 700 feet away); Manatee Burying Ground (approx. 0.2 miles away); Florida Naval Stores (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Manatee Courthouse / Manatee Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Fogarty Boat Works (approx. 0.2 miles away); Life on the Florida Frontier: The Stephens Family (approx. 0.2 miles away); The 1887 Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bradenton.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 10, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 677 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 10, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 5. submitted on October 23, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.