Callahan in Nassau County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Pine Forest Community High School

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 9, 2020

1. Pine Forest Community High School Marker

Inscription. In the early 1900s, Nassau County had several schools serving its African American communities in Bryceville, Callahan, Hilliard, Kent, Evergreen, Kings Ferry, Musselwhite, Nassauville, Yulee, and Fernandina. Peck High School, established in 1927, became the county’s first black high school. In the 1940s, Nassau County allocated nearly $725,000 for school improvements across the county. A majority of funds went to white schools, but over $280,000 went to improve black schools deemed to be inadequate. The Nassau County School Board acquired land off Old Dixie Highway, west of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, from the Crooms family. Starting in 1951, the black schools in Hilliard, Bryceville, and Kings Ferry were consolidated with the black school in Callahan to form Pine Forest Community High School. Construction of the new school’s campus was completed that same year. It operated for seventeen years, and served grades 1-12. When Nassau County public schools integrated in 1968, Pine Forest Community High School was converted into Callahan Middle School. Over time, nearly all of the original school buildings have been replaced.

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The gymnasium, built in 1965, is the only remaining Pine Forest building.

Erected 2019 by The Pine Forest Community High School Alumni, Nassau County School District, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-1073.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1951.

Location. 30° 34.205′ N, 81° 50.444′ W. Marker is in Callahan, Florida, in Nassau County. It is at the intersection of Old Dixie Highway (County Route 115) and Whitfield Road, on the right when traveling east on Old Dixie Highway. Marker is on school grounds of Callahan Middle School and is not accessible when the school is not in session. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 450121 Old Dixie Highway, Callahan FL 32011, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in First Coast

and in Greater Jacksonville.

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

Pine Forest Community High School Marker in front of gym image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 9, 2020

2. Pine Forest Community High School Marker in front of gym

the Anglosphere.

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

the 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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Skirmish of American Revolution (approx. half a mile away); Historic Florida Railroad (approx. 0.6 miles away); Callahan Train Depot (approx. 0.6 miles away); Battle of Thomas Creek (approx. 5.2 miles away); Freedom is Not Free (approx. 7.4 miles away); Sky Soldiers (approx. 7.4 miles away); Navy Seabees (approx. 7.4 miles away); The Carillon (approx. 7.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Callahan.

Pine Forest Community High School Marker in background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, December 9, 2020

3. Pine Forest Community High School Marker in background

Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,277 times since then and 102 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 21, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.