OLDEST -- Surviving school in Polk County
Posted by: 
lazyCachers
N 27° 49.128 W 081° 49.727
17R E 418374 N 3077405
Located in Homeland, Florida at the intersection of Church St. and 2nd St.
Waymark Code: WM3D44
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 03/17/2008
Views: 18
The schoolhouse has gone through several name changes since its original construction in 1878. It was originally referred to as “Bethel Academy”. Under the watchful eye of its first teacher, Col. John Snoddy, the school began with five students and quickly grew to 60 students. In 1888, a large room was added to accommodate the increase in students. By now the enrollment had expanded to well over 75 students. The “L” shaped building was completed by 1910. The school remained active until 1956 when the Polk County School Board gave the school building and the surrounding land to the Polk County Board of County Commissioners for the purpose of establishing the Homeland Heritage Park.
The school building is the only building in the park that sets on its original foundation. Today the school is used for educational programs like the “1880 School Day” program for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders and for adult programs. It is also used for community wide
activities such as the “Cracker Storytelling Festival” in October, “Christmas Notes” in December and the “Good Ol’ Days Festival” in February.
The Homeland School is now on the National Register of Historical Buildings.
Taken from the Homeland Heritage Park visitors guide.