Old Lincoln High School facts for kids

Lincoln High School, also known as Lincoln Academy, was an important school for African American students in Tallahassee, Florida. People often call it "Historic Lincoln High School" or "Old Lincoln." It was a separate school for Black students during a time when schools were not integrated. This school is not connected to the current Lincoln High School in Leon County, except for sharing the same name.

A Look Back at Lincoln High School

How Lincoln High School Started

Lincoln Academy first opened its doors in 1869. This was during the Reconstruction era, a time after the American Civil War. It was the very first school for African Americans in Leon County, Florida. The school was built by the Freedmen's Bureau, an organization that helped formerly enslaved people.

At one point, Lincoln Academy was one of only three schools in Florida that offered high school education to Black students. It was known as one of the best-equipped schools in the state. The school had about 250 students.

Early Locations and Challenges

The first Lincoln Academy was located at Copeland and Lafayette Streets. In 1872, a fire destroyed the school building. It took four years to rebuild, and the school reopened in 1876. The new building was on the west side of Copeland Street, at Park Avenue. This area is now part of the Florida State University campus.

Lincoln Academy stayed at this location until 1906. Then, a new building was constructed at Brevard and Macomb Streets. The old building was later used by the Florida State College for Women for music and a gym. It was torn down around 1965.

From 1887 to 1889, the school that later became Florida A&M University (FAMU) used Lincoln Academy's facilities. In 1889, FAMU's predecessor moved to a new building next door. By 1891, it moved to its current location, about a mile south.

Lincoln's Final Home and Its Community Role

The historic Lincoln High School building.

The Lincoln High School Tigers mascot.

The final home of Lincoln High School was on Brevard Street. The school had rivalries with FAMU High School and Griffin High School, which is now Griffin Middle School. Because Lincoln High was often very crowded, some Black students attended Bond School (now Bond Elementary) for grades 1 through 9.

Lincoln High School also offered night classes for adults. These classes taught useful job skills, like tailoring, cosmetology, welding, and nursing. The school was a member of the Florida Interscholastic Athletic Association, which organized sports for Black schools.

John G. Riley was a very important person in the school's history. He was the first African American to become a principal of a school in Leon County, leading Lincoln Academy. Near Lincoln High, there was also the Lincoln Nursery Center for young children.

School Integration and Closure

In the late 1960s, schools in Leon County began to integrate. This meant that Black and white students started going to school together. Because of this change, Lincoln High School closed down in 1967–68.

The Class of 1967 was the last group of students to graduate as Lincoln High School Tigers. The last two classes, 1968 and 1969, finished their studies at Griffin Middle School, which was renamed Lincoln-Griffin High for a short time.

Lincoln High was named after a small neighborhood in Tallahassee called Lincoln Heights. This area is now part of Historic Frenchtown. The school building and land were sold to Leon County Schools for $150 in 1876.

Today, parts of the old Lincoln High School still stand. The main building is now the Lincoln Neighborhood Center, which offers various community services. There is also the Lincoln Room Museum. Here, visitors can learn about "Old Lincoln" and see items from the school's past. The original plaque, which says "Lincoln High School Home of the Tigers," is still on the building.

After Lincoln High School closed, the school now known as Amos P. Godby High School was originally planned to be named Lincoln High. It was also supposed to have the same colors, mascot, and traditions. However, the superintendent at the time wanted his name on the school. Godby High School kept Lincoln's colors but changed the mascot to the Cougar.

On May 14, 1992, "Old Lincoln" was officially recognized as an historical site. This was done by the Historic Preservation Society Florida Heritage Foundation and the Historic Tallahassee Preservation Board. Part of the campus was used by SAIL High School from 1975 until 2007.

School Colors and Mascot

Lincoln High School's colors were royal blue and white. Their mascot was the Tiger.

Famous Former Students

• Wally Amos (known for his cookies)
• Carrie P. Meek (a former politician)

See also

• History of Tallahassee, Florida - Black history
• Old Dillard High School (another historic Black high school in Ft. Lauderdale)