Monticello in Jefferson County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Howard Academy High School on Chestnut Street
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, May 8, 2013
1. Howard Academy High School on Chestnut Street Marker
Inscription.
Howard Academy High School on Chestnut Street. . Howard Academy High School's Building 1 opened on Chestnut Street in 1936 with one structure containing several classrooms. In 1940, a similar, second building was constructed and financed by the county, parents and The Julius Rosenwald Fund. Rosenwald, President of Sears, Roebuck and Co., donated funds to build thousands of schools, shops, and teachers' homes in the South. With the construction of Building 2, Building 1 was used as the elementary and junior high school and Building 2 served as the senior high school. Howard Academy was the first official high school for African-American students in the county. Later, a combination elementary and junior high school was built on Second Street in 1957. The Chestnut Street location served grades 9-12 students until 1959-60 when the elementary/junior high school on Second Street was expanded for students in all 12 grades. After 1960 the Chestnut Street Buildings were not used for several years. However, when schools were integrated in the early 1970's, the Chestnut site again served elementary students until the elementary school could be built. Currently, Building 2 is vacant and Building 1 is a storage space for the school district.
Howard Academy High School's Building 1 opened on Chestnut Street in 1936 with one structure containing several classrooms. In 1940, a similar, second building was constructed and financed by the county, parents and The Julius Rosenwald Fund. Rosenwald, President of Sears, Roebuck and Co., donated funds to build thousands of schools, shops, and teachers' homes in the South. With the construction of Building 2, Building 1 was used as the elementary and junior high school and Building 2 served as the senior high school. Howard Academy was the first official high school for African-American students in the county. Later, a combination elementary and junior high school was built on Second Street in 1957. The Chestnut Street location served grades 9-12 students until 1959-60 when the elementary/junior high school on Second Street was expanded for students in all 12 grades. After 1960 the Chestnut Street Buildings were not used for several years. However, when schools were integrated in the early 1970's, the Chestnut site again served elementary students until the elementary school could be built. Currently, Building 2 is vacant and Building 1 is a storage space for the school district.
Erected 2009 by The Jefferson County Public School District, The Jefferson County Retired Educators Association,
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Alumni and Friends and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-682.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Rosenwald Schools series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.
Location. 30° 33.113′ N, 83° 51.851′ W. Marker is in Monticello, Florida, in Jefferson County. Marker is on Mamie Scott Drive north of Cypress Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Monticello FL 32344, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, March 24, 2021
2. Howard Academy High School on Chestnut Street Marker looking south
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, March 24, 2021
3. Howard Academy High School on Chestnut Street Marker looking north
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, March 24, 2021
4. Howard Academy High School on Chestnut Street
Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2013, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 643 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on August 14, 2013, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 25, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.