Orange Park Normal & Industrial School

Orange Park Normal & Industrial School was an integrated school in Orange Park, Florida, funded by a Presbyterian group. Florida's only integrated school, it was founded by the American Missionary Association (AMA).[1] It closed in the wake of laws forbidding whites from teaching blacks. William N. Sheats, who headed Florida's school system pushed for the law.[2]

The school opened in October 1891 south of Jacksonville in Clay County along the St. Johns River.[2] The campus included dormitories and workshops. [3]

Amos W. Farnham was the school's principal, followed by B.D. Rowlee.[2] The school appealed and won against "Sheats Law" (requiring segregation even at private institution), but closed in 1913 after Sheats returned to office and was successful in having the legislature outlaw whites teaching black students.[2]

A historical marker is at the site of the school.[4] The school site is home to Orange Park's town hall and police station.[5]

References
  1. "One man's war on Florida's desegregated schools". redefinED. September 20, 2016.
  2. Gibbons, Patrick R. (November 16, 2016). "William N. Sheats and pitfalls of democratic control of public education". redefinED.
  3. "Historical Marker". The Florida Channel.
  4. "School founded in 1891 to finally get proper recognition". Clay Today.
  5. "Orange Park school known for desegregation to receive Historical Marker in February". www.firstcoastnews.com.


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