Sanford in Seminole County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Hopper Academy
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 20, 2022
1. Hopper Academy Marker
National Register
of Historic Places
in 2015
by the United States
Department of the Interior
Erected 2020 by William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 361.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Education • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. 28° 48.134′ N, 81° 15.75′ W. Marker is in Sanford, Florida, in Seminole County. It is on Pine Avenue just north of Celery Avenue (County Road 415), on the right when traveling north. Marker is mounted directly on the subject building, just to the left of the front [west] entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1101 Pine Avenue, Sanford FL 32771, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Orlando and in Central Florida. It is also in the American South. 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 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 walking distance of this marker: Georgetown (a few steps from this marker); St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historical Figures (approx. half a mile away); Sanford Avenue (approx. half a mile away); Businesses (approx.
this page online
Regarding Hopper Academy. National Register of Historic Places #15000209.
From the National Register nomination:
The interior of Hopper Academy originally had six classrooms on the ground floor symmetrically arranged around a central hallway. This spatial configuration remains largely intact with two of the classrooms on the southeast corner combined into one. In addition, each side of the first floor has a storage room and a small bathroom under the straight run of stairs that lead up to the second-floor auditorium. On the east side of the building is a switchback staircase with the original wooden treads and handrails and pair of double doors that lead out to the secondary porch.
Also see . . .
1. Hopper Academy.
The Hopper Academy was the first African American school in the Georgetown district of Sanford. Established in 1886,(Submitted on December 20, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)the school was originally named Colored School No. 11. In 1906, Joseph Nathaniel Crooms became the first principal of the Hopper Academy and began construction of the current building at 1101 Pine Avenue. The building originally housed grades one through ten and also served as a community high school until the construction of the Crooms Academy in Goldsboro.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 20, 20222. Hopper Academy Marker(marker is on left side of the front [west] entrance)
2. Hopper Academy.
Following the completion of Crooms Academy in 1926, Hopper was converted to an elementary and middle school, housing kindergarten through eighth grade. It closed in the early 1960s, was used by the school district, and was then abandoned and fell into disrepair. It has been restored and is now a community center. It is on the Florida Black Heritage Trail and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.(Submitted on December 20, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. Historic Hopper Academy.
Hopper closed its doors in 1962 when Goldsboro and the new Hopper elementary schools opened. In 1989, after years of neglect, community members began efforts to save Hopper. The City of Sanford designated Hopper Academy as a local historic landmark in 1991. In 1993, the Community Improvement(Submitted on December 20, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Association acquired the property and in 1994 the school was placed on the Florida Black Heritage Trail. Initial restoration of the building was substantially completed by 1999 and the building was used as a community and cultural center. In 2008 a fire sprinkler system was installed and in 2010 a new roof was installed.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 20, 20223. Hopper Academy (east elevation)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 20, 2022
4. Hopper Academy (north elevation)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 20, 2022
5. Hopper Academy (southeast elevation)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, December 20, 2022
6. Hopper Academy (southwest elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 698 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 20, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
