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.
Stetson University College of Law. Florida's First Law School. Built as the Hotel Rolyat in 1925, these Mediterranean Revival buildings originally were designed by Paul Reed of the Miami architectural firm of Kiehnel and 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.
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. Marker is at the intersection of 61st Street South and 13th Avenue South, on the left when traveling north on 61st Street South
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. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1401 61st Street South, Saint Petersburg FL 33707, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Stetson University College of Law Marker at entrance
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 570 times since then and 30 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.
