Near Arcadia in DeSoto County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Owens Community School
Photographed By PaulwC3, March 14, 2014
1. Owens Community School Marker
The Owens Community School was built 1916-1918 in the once thriving community of Owens. The community and school were named for Owen H. Dishong (1850-1902), the first sheriff of DeSoto County, serving 1887 to 1893 and 1897 to 1901. He was a charter member of the first church and donated land for the first schoolhouse. The community was situated between the Peace River and Horse Creek. It flourished through the mining of pebble phosphate. The community consisted of a post office, general store, railroad, citrus packing house, Owens Community School, and Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church. The frame school is the only remaining building of the original structures of Owens. It was last used as a school site in 1946, but some original school furnishings remain intact. It has continued to be used as a polling place over the years. In 2000, the School District of DeSoto County refurbished the school and began using it for school district training and recognitions, and historical society and humanities presentations.Erected 2004 by School District of DeSoto County and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number
Photographed By PaulwC3, March 14, 2014
2. Wide view of the Owens Community School Marker
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.
Location. 27° 10.819′ N, 81° 56.031′ W. Marker is near Arcadia, Florida, in DeSoto County. Marker is at the intersection of SW Owens School Road and Thigpen Avenue, on the right when traveling west on SW Owens School Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5586 SW Owens School Road, Arcadia FL 34266, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Arcadia Oak Ridge Cemetery (approx. 5 miles away); The British Plot (approx. 5 miles away); Arcadia City Hall (approx. 5.1 miles away); Arcadia Historic District (approx. 5.1 miles away); DeSoto County (approx. 5.2 miles away); Florida Baptist Orphanage (approx. 5½ miles away); Fort Ogden (approx. 6.8 miles away).
Photographed By PaulwC3, March 14, 2014
3. Owens Community School (1918)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 597 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 6, 2014, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.
