Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Oldest Schoolhouse
Photographed By Marsha A. Matson, May 28, 2015
1. The Oldest Schoolhouse Marker
Inscription.
The Oldest Schoolhouse. . Built about 1838 and moved to this location after the hurricane of 1846, the Patterson-Baldwin House is believed to be one of the oldest buildings in Key West. The Classical Revival style house is reputed to have been built, but never occupied, by Alexander Patterson, a prominent Key West citizen and mayor. Various sources indicate that the Pickney family lived in the house and that Mrs. Pickney’s sister Madame Passaloque, taught classes here until 1860, giving the house the distinction of being the first school in Key West. John Baldwin, who twice served as mayor of Key West, purchased the house in 1860. The property remained in the Baldwin family for more than 100 years. The house was painstakingly restored by Edward B. Knight in 1962. At first only the house's front side was restored to provide a “before and after” picture of how it could one day look. This award winning demonstration received national publicity and helped spark the historic preservation movement in Key West.
Built about 1838 and moved to this location after the hurricane of 1846, the Patterson-Baldwin House is believed to be one of the oldest buildings in Key West. The Classical Revival style house is reputed to have been built, but never occupied, by Alexander Patterson, a prominent Key West citizen and mayor. Various sources indicate that the Pickney family lived in the house and that Mrs. Pickney’s sister Madame Passaloque, taught classes here until 1860, giving the house the distinction of being the first school in Key West. John Baldwin, who twice served as mayor of Key West, purchased the house in 1860. The property remained in the Baldwin family for more than 100 years. The house was painstakingly restored by Edward B. Knight in 1962. At first only the house's front side was restored to provide a “before and after” picture of how it could one day look. This award winning demonstration received national publicity and helped spark the historic preservation movement in Key West.
Erected 2011 by Sponsored by Edward B. Knight and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-724.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.
Location. 24° 33.417′ N, 81° 48.224′
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W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. Marker is at the intersection of Duval Street and Eaton Street, on the left when traveling west on Duval Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 336 Duval Street, Key West FL 33040, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2015, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. This page has been viewed 702 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on June 12, 2015, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. 4. submitted on March 17, 2023, by Mira Earls of Cortland, New York. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
