Site of Palmetto's First School
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
The NE Corner of Palmetto Historical Park is the site of Palmetto Academy, Palmetto's first public school. It was built in 1894 with money raised by a bond. It was said to be the first time in Florida that public funds were used to build a school. Children went to school from 8:30am to 4:00pm for 5 to 6 months of the year. By 1930, a new school building was constructed on the corner of 10th Ave. W. and 7th St. W. Later, Palmetto Academy was torn down.
Images
Palmetto Academy. Photograph furnished by Belmont Whittle.
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
Early on families taught their own children at home. During this time S.S. Lamb, the town founder, hired a tutor for his children. Later, he used a small log cabin on his property as a school, and invited the neighbors.
Growth necessitated the building of a small frame schoolhouse and the hiring of teacher Mr. Nettles, and one year later Miss Frankie A. McKay (Frankie Howze) was hired.
In the late 1800's, the newly incorporated city of Palmetto built Palmetto Academy, the first public school in Manatee County. The NE Corner of Palmetto Historical Park was the site of Palmetto Academy, Palmetto's first public school. It was built in 1894 with money raised by a bond. It was said to be the first time in Florida that public funds were used to build a school. Children went to school from 8:30am to 4:00pm for 5 to 6 months of the year. By 1917, a new school building was constructed at the corner of 10th Ave W. and 7th St. W.
Multi-storied red brick and concrete buildings followed, and in 1926 the Palmetto Grammar School building was added to the square block site between 7th and 8th Streets and 10th and 11th Avenues.
The Palmetto Academy building became City Hall by 1917 and by 1926 was simultaneously used as an armory for the Palmetto National Guard. For years this was their headquarters until a concreate building was built on 14th Ave W. and the Guard was relocated.
Palmetto Academy was torn down after being vacated by the Guard.
Sources
This entry was created by Palmetto Historical Park staff using Palmetto Historical Park’s records and photos.
Manatee County Public Library System Digital Collection M01-25847-A