Central Academy

Early Years of Central Academy

Before the 1890s, Black students in Palatka attended classes in various city halls under the name Public School No. 2. Among the earliest educators was Peter Joseph, a graduate of Old Cookman (later Bethune-Cookman) in Daytona, who served as principal from 1888 to 1890. The city built two identical schools on Orange Street (now Reid Street)—one for white students and one for Black students. The Black school was named Central Academy, a name chosen by Mrs. M. M. Drakeford, who also selected the school colors, purple and gold. As “separate but equal” was the law in the United States at the time, the school was built and functioned equally to the white Mellon Primary School.

With six teachers, the school served grades one through eight, later expanding to include all twelve grades. Salaries increased, academics strengthened, and athletics and arts flourished. Football and basketball teams were organized, along with a music program, school band, and annual theater productions.

By the early 1920s, enrollment had expanded and the faculty had grown to fourteen. Between 1923 and 1929, Clarence C. Walker, a Tuskegee Institute graduate, became principal. Walker was determined that Black schools be properly accredited and staffed by college-educated teachers. His vision became reality when, in 1925, Central Academy earned accreditation from the Florida Department of Public Instruction, becoming the first accredited African-American high school and the first accredited public school of any kind in Florida. At the time, only three private white schools held that distinction.

Under Walker’s leadership, the school curriculum was upgraded to Biology & Chemistry, History & Geography, Liberal Arts & Music, & Black Conference Sports. Central Academy required vocational training for all students. During his tenure, the school also produced Florida’s first high school annual in 1924.

Destruction and Replacement of the School

Tragedy struck on January 28, 1936, when the 1892 Central Academy building was destroyed by fire. Principal A. J. Polk quickly arranged for classes to continue in local churches and public buildings. That March, the county purchased new land (Blocks 222 and 223) for a replacement school. Renowned Jacksonville architect Roy A. Benjamin, known for designing the Florida Theatre, San Marco Theatre, and many other Florida landmarks, was commissioned to design the new facility. Construction began later that year through the Works Progress Administration (WPA).

Roy A. Benjamin, the Architect

Roy A. Benjamin moved from Ocala to Jacksonville in 1902 and, despite having only a seventh-grade education and no formal architectural training, quickly rose to prominence as one of the city’s most prolific and gifted architects. He became especially well-known for his theater designs across Jacksonville and the southeastern United States. Among his Jacksonville works were the Imperial Theatre and Palace Theatre (both since demolished), the Riverside Theatre, San Marco Theatre, and Arcade Theater. He also served as associate architect for the Florida Theatre, one of the city’s most celebrated landmarks.

Benjamin’s portfolio extended well beyond theaters. His other Jacksonville designs included the Elks Club Building, Otis Elevator Building, and Fire Station No. 4, as well as numerous distinguished residences and apartment houses such as the Park Lane Apartments and the Leon Cheek residence. His educational projects included John Gorrie High School, Edmund Kirby-Smith Junior High School, Public School No. 8, and Mattie Rutherford Elementary School.

Between 1919 and 1924, Benjamin partnered with architect Mellen C. Greeley, and together they produced several major works, including Memorial Park, created in collaboration with the renowned Olmsted Brothers landscape firm. After World War II, Benjamin retired and sold his practice to William D. Kemp, Franklin S. Bunch, and William K. Jackson, who carried on his legacy through their firm, KBJ Architects, Inc.

Continued Growth

The new Central Academy opened for the 1937–1938 school year, serving grades one through twelve with a growing and professional faculty. In 1944, the city’s small Black library moved into the school under librarian Mrs. G. L. Long, whose forward-thinking leadership built a major collection of publications by and about African Americans.

Just two blocks east stood the Black community’s auditorium and swimming pool, which served as an extension of the school since the new building lacked an auditorium. Despite limited resources, the school maintained Walker’s high academic standards, operating specialized laboratories for science, geography, and zoology, and continuing its tradition of excellence in music and the arts.

Closure

In 1956, a new Central Academy High School opened on 19th and Napoleon Streets, and the existing campus became Central Academy Elementary, serving grades one through six. The school remained in operation until 1969, when it closed. In conjunction with the mandatory integration that followed the Brown v. Board of Education decision, Central Academy High School and Palatka High School were merged and reorganized as Palatka South and Palatka Central (formerly Central Academy). Afterwards, in 1977, the two high schools were combined into Palatka Jr. Sr High. The former Central Academy Elementary school building was designated as a storage and bus depot before being left vacant in the late 1990s.

The historic Central Academy building on Washington Street was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 12, 1998. Although the building has fallen into disrepair and suffered a roof collapse in recent years, a dedicated group is working on renovating what remains of the old school.

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