St. Joseph’s Mission Schoolhouse for African American Children
— Walter Jones Historical Park —
This is the last remaining one-room schoolhouse in Duval County, built in 1898 on the St. Joseph’s Church property at the corner of Loreto and Old St. Augustine Roads. It was part of the community school begun in 1868 by the Sisters of St. Joseph, a Roman Catholic religious order from Le Puy, France.
While the school was open to all students, the Sisters’ mission was established with a particular focus on providing new educational opportunities for black children. The schoolhouse was one of several built over the years specifically for the school’s black students, who were not taught alongside white students due to racial prejudice.
It is not known how long the schoolhouse remained in use. In 1943, the building was given to Nathaniel Long, an employee of St. Joseph’s Academy. After his death, it was sold to a private owner, relocated and restored. Finally, as part of a community effort to save the building, it was moved in January 2015 to its present location.
Erected by Mandarin Historical Society and the State of Florida Department of Historical Resources.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1868.
Location. 30° 9.918′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 1876 Barn (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Losco Winery (about 400 feet away); Sawmill (about 500 feet away); Farmstead (about 500 feet away); The Major William Webb / Walter Jones Farmhouse (about 600 feet away); The St. Johns River (about 800 feet away); The Maple Leaf (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Mandarin Boardwalk (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.
Also see . . .
1. Walter Jones Historical Park. Mandarin Museum & Historical Society website entry (Submitted on April 23, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Black History Month: St. Joseph’s Mission Schoolhouse for African-American Children. Hot 99.5 website entry (Submitted on November 29, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 225 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 23, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
