Port Tampa Negro School Explained

Port Tampa Negro School was a school for African-American children in Tampa, Florida.

History

In 1938, the school was nearly destroyed by a fire. Damages were estimated at $2500 to $3500.[1]

In 1948, the school was upgraded with $40,000 as a part of a larger bond issue. Three new classrooms were added, including one longer classroom to be used as for larger assemblies. It also included a small kitchen and janitor's room, and was then upgraded to nine grades. Junior high students were transported to nearby Carver Negro Junior High.[2] In the 1950s it briefly served as a High School.

In 1959 the Hillsborough County Public Schools provided Port Tampa residents with a school made completely of portables. Parents asked their children to be provided with an acceptable school or to be sent to a White School, specifically West Shore, which was largely empty at the time. District superintendent J. Crockett Farnell responded that "We have provided a school for these people and they are supposed to attend". parents protested the school district's move to educate the students in all-portable buildings with a boycott.[3] [4]

Notes and References

  1. News: Port Tampa Negro School is Nearly Destroyed by Fire . 11 February 2022 . Tampa Tribune . April 28, 1938.
  2. News: Where $11,000,000 in School Bonds Will Go . 14 May 2020 . Tampa Tribune . March 1, 1948 . 11.
  3. News: More Enter Port Tampa Negro School . 11 February 2022 . Tampa Tribune . September 9, 1959.
  4. News: Negro pupils continue boycott of portable school in Port Tampa . 11 February 2022 . Tampa Bay Times . September 3, 1959.