Gulfport in Pinellas County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Stetson University College of Law

Florida's First Law School

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, August 17, 2013

1. Stetson University College of Law Marker

Inscription. Built as the Hotel Rolyat in 1925, these Mediterranean Revival buildings originally were designed by Paul Reed of the Miami architectural firm of Kiehnel & Elliot for developer Jack Taylor. In 1929, after the collapse of the Florida land boom, the hotel was purchased by the Mendels brothers from New York. They operated the hotel until 1932, when they purchased the Florida Military Academy and relocated it to the site. Dr. John Forbes, the first President of Stetson University, recognized a need for a law school, and in 1900, Stetson University opened Florida's first law school in DeLand. When the College of Law needed larger facilities in a metropolitan area, Stetson University purchased this property in 1953 and relocated the law school to Gulfport. Classes began on this site on September 20, 1954.

Erected 2004 by The Stetson University College of Law and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-511.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1773.

Location. 27° 45.419′ N, 82° 43.092′ W. Marker is in Gulfport, Florida, in Pinellas County. It is at the intersection of 61st Street South and 13th Avenue South, on the left when traveling north on 61st Street South. Touch for map

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. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1401 61st Street South, Saint Petersburg FL 33707, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast

and on Tampa Bay.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rattlesnake Curve (approx. 0.8 miles away); Gulfport Casino (approx. 1½ miles away); Steven Jay Robin (approx. 1½ miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away); Osgood Point / Clam Bayou Nature Preserve (approx. 1.9 miles away); St. Bartholomew's Church (approx. 2.8 miles away); Jungle Prada Site (approx. 3 miles away); Panfilo de Narvaez (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gulfport.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Al Lang Memorial Stadium for Little League Baseball (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Stetson University College of Law Marker at entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, August 17, 2013

2. Stetson University College of Law Marker at entrance

Stetson University College of Law image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, August 17, 2013

3. Stetson University College of Law

Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2013, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 767 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 27, 2013, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.