Near Ponce de Leon in Walton County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Knox Hill Academy
1848
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, April 10, 2012
1. Knox Hill Academy Marker
Inscription.
Knox Hill Academy. The Knox Hill Academy, a boarding school, was founded in 1848 by the Rev. John Newton (April 22, 1814 – Nov. 21, 1871), who was also the head master and a Presbyterian minister. It was first located near a spring northeast of the Morrison Place on Knox Hill. The original sponsors were the Campbells, McLeans, Gunns, Morrisons, Gillies, McCaskills, McPhersons, and McDonalds. It replaced the log Henry School House. The first building was a split log house built on the top of a hill and furnished with single desks and blackboards. Slates and chalk were used for writing. Eighty-four to 100 regular pupils attended. In January 1859 the academy was moved to a large, two-story frame building north of the original site. Class for older students was held on the second floor and the younger students on the first floor. This academy was highly acclaimed and provided education for students from West Florida, Southwest Georgia and Southern Alabama, from Pensacola to Tallahassee. It also included a laboratory for chemistry and physics. Reverend John Newton closed Knox Hill Academy in 1871 and moved to Mary Esther where he opened a school. Reverend Newton’s motto was: “You must learn and obey.”, A Florida Heritage Site
The Knox Hill Academy, a boarding school, was founded in 1848 by the Rev. John Newton (April 22, 1814 – Nov. 21, 1871), who was also the head master and a Presbyterian minister. It was first located near a spring northeast of the Morrison Place on Knox Hill. The original sponsors were the Campbells, McLeans, Gunns, Morrisons, Gillies, McCaskills, McPhersons, and McDonalds. It replaced the log Henry School House. The first building was a split log house built on the top of a hill and furnished with single desks and blackboards. Slates and chalk were used for writing. Eighty-four to 100 regular pupils attended. In January 1859 the academy was moved to a large, two-story frame building north of the original site. Class for older students was held on the second floor and the younger students on the first floor. This academy was highly acclaimed and provided education for students from West Florida, Southwest Georgia and Southern Alabama, from Pensacola to Tallahassee. It also included a laboratory for chemistry and physics. Reverend John Newton closed Knox Hill Academy in 1871 and moved to Mary Esther where he opened a school. Reverend Newton’s motto was: “You must learn and obey.”
A Florida Heritage Site
Erected 2008 by Walton County Board of Commissioners and the Florida
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Department of State. (Marker Number F-623.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1859.
Location. 30° 38.497′ N, 85° 57.461′ W. Marker is near Ponce de Leon, Florida, in Walton County. Marker is at the intersection of Knox Hill Road and Pulsey Hill Road, on the right when traveling north on Knox Hill Road. Marker is located one half mile north of County Hwy 183, one mile west of State Hwy 81. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ponce de Leon FL 32455, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,070 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 24, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
