Orange Park in Clay County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Orange Park Normal and Industrial School Site
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, February 20, 2018
1. Orange Park Normal and Industrial School Site Marker
Inscription.
Orange Park Normal and Industrial School Site. . The 1885 Florida Constitution mandated the segregated education of black and white students in public schools. In 1891, the American Missionary Association (AMA) opened the private Orange Park Normal and Industrial School at this site to educate black students. It consisted of several buildings which housed classrooms, dormitories, and workshops. Due to the school’s success, white children began to attend. This attracted the attention of Florida’s Superintendent of Public Instruction William Sheats, a staunch segregationist. In response, he pushed the state legislature to pass a law in 1895 that prohibited any Florida school, public or private, from teaching black and white students together. The Orange Park Normal School was the only racially-integrated school in the state at that time. The AMA fought the law, and the case went to court, where Judge R.M. Call ruled against the State of Florida. Although the AMA won the case, the damage was done. Public sentiment against the school increased among whites. By 1917, the AMA closed the school. Although segregation persisted in Florida for another 50 years, this school was a pioneering example of integration in education.
The 1885 Florida Constitution mandated the segregated education of black and white students in public schools. In 1891, the American Missionary Association (AMA) opened the private Orange Park Normal and Industrial School at this site to educate black students. It consisted of several buildings which housed classrooms, dormitories, and workshops. Due to the school’s success, white children began to attend. This attracted the attention of Florida’s Superintendent of Public Instruction William Sheats, a staunch segregationist. In response, he pushed the state legislature to pass a law in 1895 that prohibited any Florida school, public or private, from teaching black and white students together. The Orange Park Normal School was the only racially-integrated school in the state at that time. The AMA fought the law, and the case went to court, where Judge R.M. Call ruled against the State of Florida. Although the AMA won the case, the damage was done. Public sentiment against the school increased among whites. By 1917, the AMA closed the school. Although segregation persisted in Florida for another 50 years, this school was a pioneering example of integration in education.
Erected 2017 by The Town of Orange Park, Historical Society of Orange Park, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number
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F-985.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location. 30° 9.897′ N, 81° 42.089′ W. Marker is in Orange Park, Florida, in Clay County. Marker can be reached from Park Avenue (U.S. 17) south of Kingsley Avenue (Florida Route 224), on the right when traveling south. Marker cannot be seen from the road, though it can be accessed from the parking lot along Park Avenue of town hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2042 Park Avenue, Orange Park FL 32073, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Orange Park Normal and Industrial School Site Marker in front of town hall.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 296 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on May 28, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
