Old Dillard High School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Old Dillard High School
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
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| Built by | Cayot & Hart |
| Architect | John Morris Peterson |
| Architectural style | Mediterranean Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 91000107 |
| Added to NRHP | 20 February 1991 |
The Old Dillard High School is a special historic school building in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It is also known as the Colored School or Walker Elementary. You can find it at 1001 Northwest 4th Street.
This building was the first school in Broward County specifically for Black students. It was built in 1924 by Cayot & Hart. The architect who designed it was John Morris Peterman. On February 20, 1991, this important building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as a significant historical site.
Old Dillard High School is the oldest surviving school for Black students in Fort Lauderdale. It was named after James H. Dillard, who was a strong supporter of education for Black people. The first principal of the school, from 1924 to 1937, was Joseph A. Ely. Later, Clarence C. Walker, Sr. became principal in 1937 and served until 1942.
In 1950, the high school students moved to a new building. The old building then became Dillard Elementary School. A new building was constructed for Dillard Elementary. In 1954, a group of citizens asked that the old school be renamed Walker Elementary. In the late 1980s, the building was almost torn down. However, people in the community worked hard to save it.
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Old Dillard Museum: A Look into History
The Old Dillard Museum is located inside the historic Old Dillard High School building. This building was originally constructed in 1923 as Fort Lauderdale's first school for Black students.
The museum's exhibits focus on the history and culture of African Americans in the local area. It helps visitors learn about the past and important events. You can find out about the museum's activities on its Twitter feed.
Famous People Who Worked Here
- Cannonball Adderley, a very famous jazz musician, once worked at this school.
More Places to Explore
- Old Lincoln High School (Tallahassee)
Online Resources
- Broward County listings at National Register of Historic Places
- Florida Division of Historical Resources
