Clifton School House

National Historic Landmark

Photo: https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=107986

In 1890-1891, African American fathers Butler Campbell and Andrew Jackson decided it was time to build a proper structure for their nine children to attend school. They recognized the importance of a good education.

First they needed a location, and subsequently their neighbor Wade Holmes donated a one-acre lot adjacent to Campbell’s property for the building site. Holmes, Jackson and Campbell built a one room, 12 x 16 structure of heart pine lumber. The material bought in Titusville was shipped by sailboat to their location near Mosquito Lagoon.

Rules established by the Board of Public Instructions for Brevard County indicated you must have one trustee and a teacher holding a valid certificate. That teacher was renowned professor Mahaffey who taught them at home and later at the Clifton School House. Classes were held in the summer months so, students could help with citrus groves and other crops during the winter months. Subjects consisted of reading, physiology, advanced hygiene, United States history, geography, familiar science, English and Math.

By 1910 most of their children were no longer of school age or had moved on to other schools seeking higher education. History has demonstrated that parents believe that education provides a better future for their children then and now.


Resources:

Canaveral National Seashore Historic Resource Study, https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/DownloadFile/458702.