Florence Graded School

Photographed by James Thomson, January 19, 2011

1. Florence Graded School Marker

Inscription. Florence Graded School was named for Florence Bowser, a noted educator who was instrumental in having the school constructed. It was built in 1920 with state and local funds and a grant from the Julius Rosenwald Fund which had been created in 1922 to finance elementary schools for southern African Americans. Some 5,000 Rosenwald schools were built in 15 states, including 308 in Virginia; 9 were in Suffolk (then Nansemond County). Elements of the original frame building survive in the present brick structure. The adjoining Florence Bowser Elementary School was completed in 1963.

Erected 1987 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-271.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Education. In addition, it is included in the Rosenwald Schools, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 36° 49.4′ N, 76° 29.45′ W. Marker was in Suffolk, Virginia. It was in Driver.

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It was on Nansemond Parkway (Virginia Route 337) 1.3 miles west of Shoulders Hill Road ( Route 626), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 4540 Nansemond Parkway, Suffolk VA 23435, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

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 location: A different marker also named Florence Graded School (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Glebe Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hargrove's Tavern (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different

Florence Bowser School historic building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Thomson

2. Florence Bowser School historic building

marker also named Glebe Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bennett's Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sleepy Hole Ferry (approx. half a mile away); Yeates School (approx. half a mile away); James Bowser, Revolutionary Soldier (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Suffolk.

More about this marker. This marker was removed in 2018 during construction of a new Bowser Elementary School. A new, updated marker was erected and unveiled on September 22, 2023.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2011, by James Thomson of Chesapeake, United States. This page has been viewed 2,250 times since then and 113 times this year. Last updated on October 13, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 19, 2011, by James Thomson of Chesapeake, United States. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.