Wesconnett Elementary School # 116

Shuttered

The location of this school is unsure…Wesconnett School # 57 is not the same as Wesconnett School # 116

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.

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.

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.

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