Pensacola in Escambia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Spencer Bibbs Academy
— Eastside Neighborhood Black History Trail —
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 11, 2021
1. Spencer Bibbs Academy Marker (now the Spencer Bibbs Center).
Spencer Bibbs Academy was named for the first African
American Supervisor of Colored Schools in Escambia County.
Appointed to the position in the early 1900s, Supervisor Bibbs went
before the school board in 1919 to ask for an east side school and his
request was granted. The school, first named P.S. #44 and then P.S.
#102, was temporarily established at Edward's Chapel on Scott Street
and 13th Avenue while the school building, a white wooden structure,
was being constructed on this site. In 1924, P.S. #102 became Spencer
Bibbs Elementary School in honor of Supervisor Bibbs. In those days,
students who finished Spencer Bibbs had to walk to the Gibson
School on the west side of town in order to continue their education
beyond fourth grade. In the afternoons, Mr. Bibbs, who also worked
as a hack driver--yesteryear's version of a taxi driver, driving a
wagon hitched to mules--used his wagon to transport the students from
the east side to Gibson School on the west side. A newer masonry
building was constructed on this site in 1962 and the name was
later changed to Spencer Bibbs Academy.Topics. This historical marker is listed in these
Photographed By Mark Hilton, July 11, 2021
2. Former Spencer Bibbs Academy and the marker.
this page online
Location. 30° 26.054′ N, 87° 12.74′ W. Marker is in Pensacola, Florida, in Escambia County. Marker is on North 6th Avenue north of East Hernandez Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2005 N 6th Ave, Pensacola FL 32503, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Historic Crystal Icehouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Lost Neighborhood (approx. 0.2 miles away); E.S. Cobb Center (approx. ¼ mile away); A.S. Magee Field (approx. ¼ mile away); General Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr. Memorial Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Spencer Bibbs (approx. half a mile away); Katharine A. Goldsmith R.N. (approx. half a mile away); John Lee Pickens’ Medical Office (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pensacola.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 189 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 11, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
