Gifford in Indian River County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
MISSING
SEE LOCATION SECTION
Gifford High School Sundial Landmark
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, September 9, 2018
1. Gifford High School Sundial Landmark Marker
Inscription.
Gifford High School Sundial Landmark. . In 1892, William Edward Geoffrey, an African American man from Darlington, South Carolina, came to work on the Florida East Coast Railroad in Gifford. The town's first school was built in 1898, but only served white children. In 1901, Geoffrey purchased eighty acres of land in Gifford, and donated a portion for a park and the construction of a black school. Named the Gifford School, the small building was located at 38th Lane, east of what is now US Highway 1. The school originally taught students in first through sixth grades. Older students had to travel to Fort Pierce to attend high school. In 1938, the Gifford School expanded to include a high school. In 1952, the Indian River County Board funded the construction of a new high school building at 45th Street and 28th Court. Following the integration of Indian River County schools in 1969, Gifford High School graduated its last class and became a middle school. The original facade is now part of the Gifford Middle School campus. This sundial was presented as a gift from the Class of 1964 upon their graduation. This facade and sundial are the last material remnants of the original Gifford High School.
In 1892, William Edward Geoffrey, an African American man from Darlington, South Carolina, came to work on the Florida East Coast Railroad in Gifford. The town's first school was built in 1898, but only served white children. In 1901, Geoffrey purchased eighty acres of land in Gifford, and donated a portion for a park and the construction of a black school. Named the Gifford School, the small building was located at 38th Lane, east of what is now US Highway 1. The school originally taught students in first through sixth grades. Older students had to travel to Fort Pierce to attend high school. In 1938, the Gifford School expanded to include a high school. In 1952, the Indian River County Board funded the construction of a new high school building at 45th Street and 28th Court. Following the integration of Indian River County schools in 1969, Gifford High School graduated its last class and became a middle school. The original facade is now part of the Gifford Middle School campus. This sundial was presented as a gift from the Class of 1964 upon their graduation. This facade and sundial are the last material remnants of the original Gifford High School.
Erected 2017 by Gifford High School Alumni and Friends Association, Gifford Community Cultural and Resource Center, Gifford Historic Museum,
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Dr. MLK, Jr Committee, Gifford Progressive Civic League, Indian River County Historical Society, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-984.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1952.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 27° 40.509′ N, 80° 24.773′ W. Marker was in Gifford, Florida, in Indian River County. Marker was on 45th Street just east of 28th Court, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 4530 28th Court, Vero Beach FL 32967, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Gifford High School Sundial Landmark Marker and Gifford Middle School sign
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, September 9, 2018
3. Gifford High School Sundial
Photographed By Ronnie Matthews, December 22, 2019
4. Marker has gone missing.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 399 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on December 25, 2018, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 4. submitted on December 22, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
