Josef de Ortega, the Judge Advocate for East Florida when John Houston McIntosh purchased Don Juan McQueen’s plantation would be proud. His namesake celebrated, with great fanfare, a huge 100 year birthday in 2023.
Ortega Elementary School, located on Baltic Street, began as a simple white frame building along the northwest corner of Longfellow and Arapahoe Streets in the fall of 1923. That building, with area street names such as Harvard, Baltic, Princeton and various Indian names like Mohegan, Appalachee, Pawnee and more, would serve the school for many years. The Works Progress Administration offered assistance for schools and in 1935 a new auditorium was built.
The junior high school grew rapidly and in 1950, two wings were added with classrooms and bathrooms. In the fall of 1987 portable classrooms expanded the campus. It was used for elementary school children. In 1995, the enrolment was at 350 K-5. Enrollment remains steady for the K-5 school is at and is called a “Museum Magnet”.
Dale Chambliss, 1964-1970 student talks with Martha King, class of 1942.
Kathy Dagenais Hanberry (2nd left) spent spent 14 years working at Ortega School . Cindy Thompson, (center-blue top) former principal 1995-2005. Jennifer Brawn (3rd left-tan dress), former principal at the school.
Former students of Ortega…
Former students of Ortega…
Melody Brunson, Debbie Atlee, Sharon Caruso share time together as their children attended the school.
See you tomorrow,
Nan
Sources: Duval Public Schools, Florida Memory, Personal visit to school.
If you believe you are a copyright owner or can help with information regarding this article, including to clarify rights or information issues, please contact me. We are willing to remove any item from public view if there is any concern regarding ownership.
The 1901 fire of Jacksonville brought about tremendous change in this North East Florida city. After the devastating loss of at least 2,368 buildings, the city grew outward with new hope. Brentwood, Florida was soon to be a hustling, bustling growing area while pockets of the area would remain rural for many years.
The area was named Brentwood and Public School # 15 was built to meet the needs of that new community. At this time, the community was a White area as reported by The Jaxonmag. Today, the area is predominately Black.
Neighborhood homes across the street from the school 2023(Ramey Collection).
Brentwood school is located across from the Brentwood Park and would have the latest fashionable street cars in north Jacksonville. Brentwood School, also called the Performing Arts Academy closed in 2021. It had served over 330 students, grades K-5. The students were sent to North Shore Elementary School.
When built, the school was located on 3.6 acres of land. The auditorium was built on the 2nd floor with no cafeteria or library. In 1944, additions and renovations were made with cafeteria being added added in 1952 and in 1976 a classroom was used to create a faculty lounge and workroom.The auditorium was remodelled into a library. In 1969, overcrowding from the nearby Kirby-Smith and Brentwood served as School #25A annex.
Brentwood wins Paint and Clean Up award from Jax Jr. Jaycees- c1952-Probably FTU article.
To comply with desegregation court order in 1970 Brentwood became a sixth grade center and two more kindergarten classes added as it returned to Brentwood Elementary School # 15. In 992, Brentwood became a magnet school to continue efforts to desegregate school with a focus on visual and performing arts. Portable classrooms and an art lab were added to relieve overcrowding.
Principals of Brentwood have been Mrs. Iva T. Sprinkle, who later became Superintendent of Schools. Mrs. Jacqueline Jones(2021) and more. We continue to update our information as it comes available.
See you tomorrow,
Nan
If you believe you are a copyright owner or can help with information regarding this article, including to clarify rights or information issues, please contact me. We are willing to remove any item from public view if there is any concern regarding ownership.
Sources: Jacksonville Junior Jaycees, Florida Times Union, Jaxsonmag, Duval Public Schools, personal visit to the school.
Going to the office at Aramark Food, Facilities and Uniform business, I had questions. Was Public School Annie Beaman once at the corner of 21st and Walnut Street? Did they have photos? Who might know about this? Also, I knew that Aramark had a food contract with the Duval Schools at least dating back to 2009 so there could be some connection there.
The man wearing a blue collar shirt who buzzed me in at the front office said, “I don’t know the name of the school but it was school #17 because we’re always getting mail here.”
Former location of Annie Beaman School-East Springfield area-circa 1917-1957
According to an April 22, 1987 “List of Schools and Year Built” sheet, Public School # 17 was built in 1917. By the time the list was printed, it had been demolished as noted by hand in the right column.
Public School # 17, Annie Beaman, was indeed located at the corner of 21st and Walnut from 1917 until at least 1957. We know this because in 1957, Pulitzer Prize winning photographer, Rocco Morobito had taken a photograph at the school of a pet rabbit with children saluting the flag. The photograph in today’s language was taken “viral” and people in other nation’s wanted a reprint of the image. When Mr. Morobito came to my classroom in September of 1994 he shared this photograph. It was highlighted in Life Magazine in October of 1957 and in 2022, the Florida Times Union shared it as a tribute to Jacksonville’s bicentennial event #jax200.
A copy was shown to Nan Ramey’s class at Greenland Pines Elem/1994 and Florida Times Union reprint, 2022
In addition, The Florida Times Union had a write-up on June of 1949 where four principals retired: Florence Hughes of West Riverside, Ruth N. Upson , Aaron Roberts of Lackawanna, and Annie Beaman.
Beaman is listed in the 1940 census as living in “Ward 8, Jacksonville, Election Precinct 8C, FL enumeration district 68-92”. She was listed as a participant at the National Elementary School conference in a 1949 bulletin and her home at some point was on Osceola Street in the Riverside area of Jacksonville.
Former home of Annie Beaman c 1940’s-Riverside (Photo Ramey Collection)
See you tomorrow,
Nan
Sources: Facebook source, Florida Times Union, current owner of the property, Rocco Morobito, photographer, Personal visit to Aramark and 21st and Walnut.
If you believe you are a copyright owner or can help with information regarding this article, including to clarify rights or information issues, please contact me. We are willing to remove any item from public view if there is any concern regarding ownership.
Now a charter school called “Jacksonville Classical Academy”.
2043 Forest Street
Old schools demolished and rebuilt on the same property
The original Forest Park Elementary School # 104 was built at the corner of Forest and Goodwin in 1954 in what is called Mixon Town. The building was one of the schools listed in the Negro Schools of Duval County booklet of 1955 and erected as one of the “separate but equal” schools. In 1954 the Supreme Court deemed segregated schools unconstitutional which called for the desegregation of children including transferring and bussing. Forest Park was built to house some 1,000 school children.Sylvia wrote on a Facebook link, “We were the last class at Forest Park. We were separated by our last names to attend (the other schools.). We were put on a yellow bus.”
Florida School Bus, 1950’s-60’s…(Photo-Florida Memory)
That comment and others are on “Forest Park Elementary School Alumni” Facebook page with over 500 members. The love for their former school and teachers is obvious even though there were concerns regarding the property.
The positive comments reflect their love for their teachers and staff members. One who turned 100 years old in 2020 was Catherine Whitehead Terry. Greg wrote of her: “ ‘Loved Ms. Whitehead, she was a very special, caring teacher and made us feel so special”. Patricia wrote of her, “She was one of my favorite teachers at Forest Park”. Harriet wrote, “She was a very good teacher”. Greg wrote: “ Not only a very special teacher, she was a very special person who cared about people period”.
Forest Park Facebook Grab from Alumni Page
Other comments include a great many about the “garbage landfill” nearby and the stench from it. For example, Henry wrote. “ I remember the garbage dump next to the school, the door and smoke when they burned trash or the smell from Jones Chambliss , or the smell from the 3 chicken houses or the smell from the McCoys creek, we would have to close the windows when the smell got too bad”.
Houses across the street from the current school in 2023. (Ramey Collection).
According to an “Abandoned Florida” website writing, the city dumped combustion ash which was spread around the area including in the nearby McCoy’s Creek. The writer wrote: “The EPA’s investigation found ash deposits in the ground soil typically less than 2 feet thick but was as thick as 10 feet deep in some areas. The deepest ash deposits were located adjacent to McCoy Creek. While the Forest Street Incinerator Site covered approximately 10.5 acres, the total area impacted by the ash was approximately 27 to 29 acres.” As a result, Forest Park and Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary with a similar concern were permanently closed. Following closure, cleanup groups began digging up soil and later demolishing Forest Park school.
The new school-Jacksonville Classical Academy (Ramey Collection 2023)
Today, Google indicates that Mixon Town has a population of some 1,205 residents. In riding through the neighborhood, it remains predominately Black. On Sunday the parking lot of the area church was full with congregants going in and out. Many homes in the area have been recently purchased and new construction is going up in pockets of the area. Behind the school there remains a lot of large equipment including dump trucks, excavators, backhoes and more so work is still being done.
Macedonia Church diagonal to the school property. (Ramey Collection)
The new Forest Park school which opened in 2020 under the name “Jacksonville Classical Academy” has begun serving K-6 with approximately 500 students attending selected by random lottery. Grades are being added and over time is expected to house K-12th grades.
According to the charter school website: The Jacksonville Classical Academy is a “charter school and accredited by the NCA, Cognia organization and promoted by Hillsdale College with this comment on their website: Jacksonville Classical Academy (JXC) has been supported from the start up until now by the Barney Charter School Initiative (BCSI) of Hillsdale College and have met their benchmarks along the way. JXC receives training and support from BCSI each year. Jacksonville Classical Academy is a Licensed User of the Hillsdale College K-12 Curriculum.”
Oh, the powers that be kept the old Community Center and are at this time having it painted and referbing the inside.
The Community Center sits in front of the school. (Ramey Collection)Refurbishing the Community Center (Ramey Collection)
See you tomorrow,
Nan
Sources: Abandoned Florida, David Bullit, EPA, Facebook Alumni page for Forest Park, Google Search, Personal visit. Negro Schools of Duval County, 1955, University of Florida, George A. Smathers Library.
If you believe you are a copyright owner or can help with information regarding this article, including to clarify rights or information issues, please contact me. We are willing to remove any item from public view if there is any concern regarding ownership.
Springfield Elementary School, “Mattie V.”, as it has often been called, was one of the first schools of Duval County, Florida. According to the 1987 school listing, the original school building was built in 1898. The current facility has been in operation since it was built in 1912. According to Beth Learn, whose Mother worked with Mrs. Rutherford, she was a strict disciplinarian but a kind soul.
Mattie Estella Van Sickle Rutherford was born October 12, 1872 in Clinton City, Indiana. She met and married Robert Burns Rutherford on June 30, 1897 in St. Johns, Florida. She taught in school # 1 in St. Augustine for a short while. Her husband, Mr. Rutherford was principal in that “Old Orange Street” school for at least 3 years in the early 1900’s.
Mattie V. was principal of the Springfield school, later called Mattie V. Rutherford for 34 years with Katharine Bagaley her aide in the mid 1930’s. About 1936, Joan Thomas would hold that position. Over the years there have been other principals: Nellie Elizabeth Cooke(1890-1959). Juanita Kerce Wilson(1918-2002) who held the position for 17 years, J. S. Wheatley, Maurice Nesmith, Sadie Milliner-Smith and others.
Mattie V. Rutherford School, 1930’s-Beth Learn Photo
It is said that Mrs. Rutherford served 34 years as school principal and often visited the school after retirement calling it “My School”. When she died on March 16, 1931, she “lay in state” in the auditorium and was later buried at Evergreen Cemetery.
Mattie V. Grave-Evergreen Cemetery
At present, Mattie V. Rutherford is an “Alternative Education Center”.
See you tomorrow,
Nan
Sources: Beth Learn, Find a Grave, St. Augustine Schools System, Joel Mceachin; Planning and Development Dept. Duval County, “List of Schools and Year Built”, Florida Memory.
If you believe you are a copyright owner or can help with information regarding this article, including to clarify rights or information issues, please contact me. We are willing to remove any item from public view if there is any concern regarding ownership. In addition, if you have facts to help, please contact me.
Lake Forest Elementary School was built in 1949 and served the neighborhood until its closing in 2021. Students from the closed school were transferred to North Shore Elementary School. The abandoned school still has beautiful artwork on its exterior.
Mona Lisa @ lake Forest Elem (Ramey Collection)
When visiting, the school the arts are clearly defined with the Mona Lisa prominently painted on the front of the school, a Van Gogh Starry, Starry night portrayal and all around the building pieces of yard-art including an angel can be seen. The angels that once trekked in, out and around the building have been transferred to North Shore Elementary School. Lake Forest is on the demotion list to become affordable housing. The artist of the paintings is unknown. (Such a shame).
Lake Forest Artwork on the Bldg. (Ramey Collection)
The PTA website for Lake Forest Elementary School was “dreams begin here” but according to the latest information, the school will be demolished and affordable housing will take its place. The dreams of those approximately 325 children are at North Shore Elementary School, where they have been transferred.
Lake Forest has had many principals over the years such as Cassandra Thomas and others. Some teachers serving there have been S. Amoy, L. Elam, L. Miller, A. Wood and more. Margaret Sweat attended there and said she “got a great education”. Another student commenting on Facebook was Jason Boddie.
Lake Forest Elementary School (Ramey Collection).
We are looking for information about this school. If you would like to be included, please message me.
See you tomorrow,
Nan
Sources: Public School Review, List of Schools and Year Built, Facebook, Duval Public School news information.
If you believe you are a copyright owner or can help with information regarding this article, including to clarify rights or information issues, please contact me. We are willing to remove any item from public view if there is any concern regarding ownership. In addition, if you have facts to help, please contact me.
Shuttered-Corner of West 33rd and Pearce Street. 1955
The Duval County School Board purchased 14 acres of land in 1955. An elementary school was built and named Mary McLeod Bethune. It opened, and operated for over forty years, closing in 2001 due to concerns of contaminated property.
Mary McLeod Bethune School # 157
The land had once been known as Brown’s Dump located at 4330 Pearce Street which included some 50 acres. The school had been built on a parcel of that land.
In talking with Anthony who lives behind the school on Bessie Street, the land was tilled, new dirt brought in and the area cleaned up which he said he watched over the years from his own back yard. The school remains closed and use of the property is still being discussed in 2023. There is a “for sale” sign on the corner of the land.
In happier days, the school was a welcome organization when it was built in the mid 1950’s offering hope for the future of the children in the area. It’s name sake had a history of giving and caring which honoured the community.
Mary McLeod Bethune was born in South Carolin on July 10, 1875. She died in Daytona Beach on May 18, 1955 and is buried there in Volusia County, Fl. She is credited with having been an educator, and “most influential” woman. In 2022, a statue of her was unveiled in the National Statuary Hall inside of the United States Capitol.
NMAH Archives Center
Scurlock Studio Records
0618
Series 4.5
Box 318
Mrs. Mary McLeod Bethune sitting in chair, 3/4 length frontal, wearing striped suit with corsage. Scurlock # 41883
The National Women’s History Museum wrote the following about Mary Mcleod Bethune:
“In 1904, her marriage ended, and determined to support her son, Bethune opened a boarding school, the Daytona Beach Literary and Industrial School for Training Negro Girls. Eventually, Bethune’s school became a college, merging with the all-male Cookman Institute to form Bethune-Cookman College in 1929.”
The school merged with the Cookman Institute of Jacksonville in 1923 thus known as the “Bethune-Cookman University”.
Florida Memory notes that when she began her school she had “$1.50 in her pocket.”
See you tomorrow,
Nan
Sources: Wikipedia, Florida Memory, Duval Public School system post re:” “Browns Dump”, Personal visit
If you believe you are a copyright owner or can help with information regarding this article, including to clarify rights or information issues, please contact me. We are willing to remove any item from public view if there is any concern regarding ownership.
The location of this school is unsure…Wesconnett School # 57 is not the same as Wesconnett School # 116
Wesconnett Elementary # 116 for Black Children- 1955
Wesconnett Elementary School # 116
The location of this school is unsure…Wesconnett School # 57 is not the same as Wesconnett School # 116. The original school # 116 was built in 1933. In 1955 the school had 261 students.
According to the Jacksonville Public Library, “In the 1950s segregated African American schools in Duval County ran a “Duval County Recreation Program” at “Negro Centers” during the summer break. The area coordinators were Eugene J. Butler and Charles D. Brooks.”
Those with specific duties are listed on the scrap book page.(See photos).Eugene J. Butler was the principal of the Franklin Street Public School, later called Matthew Gilbert.
Photograph: Charles D.Brooks, principal of Stanton High School. On back: “Prof. [Charles] Brooks. No date given. A2-455 (Unknown Source).
Charles D. Brooks was the first principal of the new Stanton school. He was one of the program directors for the Wesconnett # 116 summer school program.
Wesconnett Elementary School # 116 was a part of this event. The Eugene Butler Middle school donated three scrapbooks, each with wooden covers. They are stored in the Special Collections area of the Jacksonville (Fl) main library.
Duval Public Library Special Collections(Courtesy of the Jacksonville (Fla.) Public Library)Duval Public Library Special Collections(Courtesy of the Jacksonville (Fla.) Public Library)Playground # 116-Duval Public Library Special Collections(Courtesy of the Jacksonville (Fla.) Public Library)Music # 116-Duval Public Library Special Collections(Courtesy of the Jacksonville (Fla.) Public Library)Arts and crafts # 116-Duval Public Library Special Collections(Courtesy of the Jacksonville (Fla.) Public Library)
Jasper Wayne King was born September 10, 1933. He attended Wesconnett Elementary School # 116 along with his brother and sisters: Charles King, Charlie King Jr., Gable Armitage, Thomas Armitage, Jane King-Kierce and Pearl King. He was a long time member of a neighboring church, Greater Zion Grove Baptist Church on 118th Street in what was called Wesconnett, Florida.
Photographs from those scrapbooks are some of the rare images from the Wesconnett # 116 school.
See you tomorrow,
Nan
School photos, Courtesy of the Jacksonville (Fla.) Public Library, Smathers Library Special Collections, Personal visit to the area.
Sources: George Smathers Libraries(List of Black Schools in Duval County), Duval Public Library Special Collections(Courtesy of the Jacksonville (Fla.) Public Library). Bernice White, Olga Balderas, Complex Legacy of School Desegregation in Duval County.
Copyright Notice:
If you believe you are a copyright owner or can help with information regarding this article, might clarify rights issues, please contact me. We are willing to remove any item from public view if there is any concern regarding ownership.
“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15
“Philip R. Cousin AME Church is a community of believers in Jesus Christ, following the commands of God, growing in faith with inspired preaching, biblical teaching, and community evangelism”
First Mt. Zion African Methodist Church of Mandarin, 1887
The Philip R. Cousin AME church sits on 3.25 acres of land which was bought in 1886. The cost for the land was eight-fie dollars and purchased in the name of the African Methodist Episcopal Church of Mandarin. The deeds were record in March of 1887. A wooden church was built and the church was named Mr. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church of Mandarin. The pastor was The Reverend S. T Time serving until 1890. Through the years the church had various pastors and over time the Fruit Cove AME fellowship under the leadership of Philip R. Cousin “formed a more excellent body of God’s Church”. The pastor then became Eugene E. Moseley, Jr. With the vote of the people, the church was renamed and called Philip R. Cousin African Methodist Episcopal Church in honor of the former beloved pastor.
Mr. Zion/Philip R Cousin (Ramey Collection)
About 1991, the church was able to own 7.64 acres belonging to the Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine where a beautiful and new worship center was built. In 2002, the Bayard New Allen Chapel joined with the Orange Picker Road fellowship and in 2007 the new Worship Center was dedicated to “the glory of God”.
Corner Stone for Philip R. Cousin. (Ramey Collection)
There is more to come with this history. We’re looking for a photo of Philip Cousin, where he was born and where he is buried. If you know, please contact me. Stay tuned.
See you tomorrow,
Nan
Sources: Philip R. Cousin AME church, Google Search, Personal visit.
Oakland Elementary School # 102 was located on an acre of land and constructed in 1920. The school was had 24 classrooms and housed approximately 850 Black children with 27 staff members. Two of the buildings were temporary frame structures. In 1953 a concrete cafeteria was built. The date of the school demolition is unknown at this time.
The first principal was Mrs. Tillis. Sadie T. Tillis was an elementary and middle school teacher with a passion for helping her students. We continue to search information about her life and service to her school, community and students.
The automobile depicted here appears to be similar those of the 1940’s Oakland School parking lot photo.
1940 Mercury created by Edsel Ford-Wikimedia Commons
If you visit the area where the school was once placed, there are only fence posts and a cement pad. The woods nearby are thick and the Haines Street expressway runs behind Pippin Street. The Haines Street expressway opened in 1962 following the opening of the Matthews Bridge in 1953.
Oakland School of 1920 area. (Ramey Collection)Old Oakland School area looking SW towards the city of Jacksonville( Ramey Collection)Homes in the Oakland School area.(Ramey Collection)Google map
See you tomorrow,
Nan
Message me if you have additional information about Mrs. Sadie Tillis.
If you believe you are a copyright owner or can help with information regarding this article, including to clarify rights or information issues, please contact me. We are willing to remove any item from public view if there is any concern regarding ownership. In addition, if you have facts to help, please contact me.
Source: Negro Schools of Duval County 1955-1956, FAMU Collections, Google Map, a personal visit to the area.
