Gifford School / Hosie Shumann Park
Posted by: Markerman62
N 27° 39.856 W 080° 24.184
17R E 558874 N 3060155
Located at 1760 39th Street, Vero Beach
Waymark Code: WM177KD
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 12/30/2022
Views: 1
In 1901, William E. Geoffrey, a black man, donated this land for a black school in Gifford. Funded with help from the Julius Rosenwald Foundation, which provided support for hundreds of black schools across Florida and the Southeast, the Gifford School was constructed to serve grades 1-6. Used textbooks, furniture, and equipment were donated to the school. On cold days, the students huddled around a fire on the outdoor basketball court. During the early years, parents and the local church operated the school. Classes ran for three months during the year for blacks, when there were no beans to pick. In the late 1930s, the school transitioned into a high school. The principals were Professors W.A. Peck (1936-40), Lamar Fort (1940), Arthur C. Madrey (1941-45), Marcellus Goodwin (1945-50), and James R. Wiggins (1951-60). In 1938, three students graduated in Gifford High School's first senior class. During the period of 1938-51, approximately 68 students graduated. In 1971, owners of the property donated it to Indian River County as a community park. Gulf & Western Sugar dedicated it to Hosie Shumann, a longtime employee, who had worked for them from 1942 until his death in 1971.
Marker Number: F-1115
Date: 2020
County: Indian River
Marker Type: Roadside
Sponsored or placed by: Indian River County Historical Society, Indian River County Parks & Recreation, Indian River County Health Department, Indian River County NAACP, Gifford Progressive Civic League, Gifford Historical Museum & Cultural Center, and the Florida Department of
Website: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
In your log, please say if you learned something new, and if you took any extra time to explore the area once you stopped at the historic marker waymark.
Please post a photo at the marker location.
Recent Visits/Logs:
There are no logs for this waymark yet. |
|
|