| First Coconut Grove School | |
| Coordinates: | 25.7235°N -80.2478°W |
| Added: | January 21, 1975 |
| Refnum: | 75000547 |
The First Coconut Grove Schoolhouse is a historic school located in Coconut Grove, Florida. The school originally resided at 2916 Grand Avenue in Miami.[1] The structure was built in 1887 by Coconut Grove pioneer Charles Peacock.[1] Peacock reportedly constructed the house using wood gathered from ships wrecked in nearby Key Biscayne.[1] The building originally served as a community gathering place, with Sunday School as its main purpose.[2]
In 1889, the one-room schoolhouse became the very first public school for area children.[3] The building's owner, Charles Peacock, was paid rent in the amount of $12.00 for the first seven-month school year.[4] Ten children from the Frow, Pent, and Peacock pioneer families, were its first attendees.[5]
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.[5] 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.[6]
The schoolhouse also retains historical significance since the first meetings of the Woman's Club of Coconut Grove were held on site.[7] 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.[7]
In 1902, Charles Peacock sold the First Coconut Grove Schoolhouse for $400.00.[8] The property remained in possession of the new owner until it was sold again in 1944.[8] The building was then purchased by Ryder Systems, refurbished, and relocated to the Plymouth Congregational Church property in 1970.[9] The schoolhouse remains on church property at 3429 Devon Road, Miami, Florida, 33133.[10]
On January 21, 1975, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.[11]