Knox Hill Academy 1848
Posted by: 
Markerman62
N 30° 38.496 W 085° 57.460
16R E 599880 N 3390346
On Knox Hill Road at Pusley Hill Road south of Ponce de Leon.
Waymark Code: WMNVN0
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 05/07/2015
Views: 4
The Knox Hill Academy, a boarding school, was founded in 1848 by the Rev. John Newton (April 22, 1814 – Nov. 21, 1871), who was also the head master and a Presbyterian minister. It was first located near a spring northeast of the Morrison Place on Knox Hill. The original sponsors were the Campbells, McLeans, Gunns, Morrisons, Gillies, McCaskills, McPhersons, and McDonalds. It replaced the log Henry School House. The first building was a split log house built on the top of a hill and furnished with single desks and blackboards. Slates and chalk were used for writing. Eighty-four to 100 regular pupils attended. In January 1859 the academy was moved to a large, two-story frame building north of the original site. Class for older students was held on the second floor and the younger students on the first floor. This academy was highly acclaimed and provided education for students from West Florida, Southwest Georgia and Southern Alabama, from Pensacola to Tallahassee. It also included a laboratory for chemistry and physics. Reverend John Newton closed Knox Hill Academy in 1871 and moved to Mary Esther where he opened a school. Reverend Newton’s motto was: “You must learn and obey.”
Marker Number: F-623
Date: 2008
County: Walton
Marker Type: Roadside
Sponsored or placed by: The Walton County Board of County Commissioners and the Florida Department of State
Website: Not listed
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