First Coconut Grove Schoolhouse
United States historic place / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The First Coconut Grove Schoolhouse is a historic school located in Coconut Grove, Florida. The school originally resided at 2916 Grand Avenue in Miami.[2] The structure was built in 1887 by Coconut Grove pioneer Charles Peacock.[2] Peacock reportedly constructed the house using wood gathered from ships wrecked in nearby Key Biscayne.[2] The building originally served as a community gathering place, with Sunday School as its main purpose.[3]
First Coconut Grove School | |
Location | Miami, Florida |
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Coordinates | 25°43′25″N 80°14′52″W |
Architectural style | Bungalow/Craftsman |
NRHP reference No. | 75000547[1] |
Added to NRHP | January 21, 1975 |
In 1889, the one-room schoolhouse became the very first public school for area children.[4] The building's owner, Charles Peacock, was paid rent in the amount of $12.00 for the first seven-month school year.[5] Ten children from the Frow, Pent, and Peacock pioneer families, were its first attendees.[6]
The first meetings of the Miami-Dade County School Board can be traced back to this period, with the First Coconut Grove Schoolhouse located in School District Number Three.[6] The first teacher hired by the Miami-Dade County School Board to instruct pioneer children of Coconut Grove, Flora McFarlane, was contracted in November 1889.[7]
The schoolhouse also retains historical significance since the first meetings of the Woman's Club of Coconut Grove were held on site.[8] In February 1891, Flora McFarlane and Coconut Grove pioneers Isabella Peacock, Euphemia Frow, Mary Munroe, and Louisa Newbold held began their work of organizing numerous social, civic, and educational projects.[8]
In 1902, Charles Peacock sold the First Coconut Grove Schoolhouse for $400.00.[9] The property remained in possession of the new owner until it was sold again in 1944.[9] The building was then purchased by Ryder Systems, refurbished, and relocated to the Plymouth Congregational Church property in 1970.[10] The schoolhouse remains on church property at 3429 Devon Road, Miami, Florida, 33133.[11]
On January 21, 1975, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.[12]