Stetson University College of Law: Florida's First Law School
N 27° 45.419 W 082° 43.092
17R E 330670 N 3071465
An old hotel houses Florida's first law school.
Waymark Code: WM1Q4W
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 06/21/2007
Views: 54
Built as the Hotel Rolyat in 1925, these Mediterranean Revival buildings originally were designed by Paul Reed of the Miami architectural firm of Kiehnel & Elliot for developer Jack Taylor. In 1929, after the collapse of the Florida land boom, the hotel was purchased by the Mendels brothers from New York. They operated the hotel until 1932, when they purchased the Florida Military Academy and relocated it to the site. Dr. John Forbes, the first President of Stetson University, recognized a need for a law school, and in 1900, Stetson University opened Floridas first law school in DeLand. When the College of Law needed larger facilities in a metropolitan area, Stetson University purchased this property in 1953 and relocated the law school to Gulfport. Classes began on this site on September 20, 1954.
THE STETSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Marker Number: F-511
Date: 2004
County: Pinellas
Marker Type: City
Sponsored or placed by: THE STETSON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF LAW AND THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Website: Not listed
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