Gifford in Indian River County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Gifford High School Sundial Landmark

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, September 9, 2018

1. Gifford High School Sundial Landmark Marker

Inscription. In 1892, William Edward Geoffrey, an African American man from Darlington, South Carolina, came to work on the Florida East Coast Railroad in Gifford. The town's first school was built in 1898, but only served white children. In 1901, Geoffrey purchased eighty acres of land in Gifford, and donated a portion for a park and the construction of a black school. Named the Gifford School, the small building was located at 38th Lane, east of what is now US Highway 1. The school originally taught students in first through sixth grades. Older students had to travel to Fort Pierce to attend high school. In 1938, the Gifford School expanded to include a high school. In 1952, the Indian River County Board funded the construction of a new high school building at 45th Street and 28th Court. Following the integration of Indian River County schools in 1969, Gifford High School graduated its last class and became a middle school. The original facade is now part of the Gifford Middle School campus. This sundial was presented as a gift from the Class of 1964 upon their graduation. This facade and sundial are the last material remnants of

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the original Gifford High School.

Erected 2017 by Gifford High School Alumni and Friends Association, Gifford Community Cultural and Resource Center, Gifford Historic Museum, Dr. MLK, Jr Committee, Gifford Progressive Civic League, Indian River County Historical Society, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-984.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1952.

Location. 27° 40.509′ N, 80° 24.773′ W. Marker is in Gifford, Florida, in Indian River County. It is on 45th Street just east of 28th Court, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4530 28th Court, Vero Beach FL 32967, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Florida’s Space Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the

Gifford High School Sundial Landmark Marker and Gifford Middle School sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, September 9, 2018

2. Gifford High School Sundial Landmark Marker and Gifford Middle School sign

territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Vero Beach Grounds/Dubose Cemetery (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gifford Community (approx. ¼ mile away); Gifford School / Hosie Shumann Park (approx. one mile away); U.S. Naval Station, Vero Beach (approx. 1.6 miles away); Baseball and Dodgertown (approx. 2.2 miles away); Vero Beach Railway Station (approx. 2.4 miles away); Courthouse Executive Center (approx. 2½ miles away); City of Vero Beach (approx. 2½ miles away).

Gifford High School Sundial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, September 9, 2018

3. Gifford High School Sundial

Marker has gone missing. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ronnie Matthews, December 22, 2019

4. Marker has gone missing.

Photographed by Diane Murphy, May 2025

5. Gifford High School Sundial Landmark Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,147 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 25, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 4. submitted on December 22, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 5. submitted on May 11, 2025, by Diane Murphy of Saint Cloud, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.