Old Davie School Historical Museum

The old Davie School is the oldest school in Brevard County, Florida. It was built in 1875 and closed as a school in 1961. In the early days of Brevard County, it was called “The Garden City.” Davie had several different small communities along the St. Johns River but now only one remains—San Sebastian. The original Davie School was built on land that had been deeded to James Calvert by his wife Ann McAfee Calvert on March 12, 1873 for $900. The school was named after John Davie, the son of James Calvert’s wife. The deed stated that if the property became an improvement to the community then it could be sold to pay for maintenance of the property and taxes, if any, would be refunded to the said purchaser with interest at 4 percent per annum from date of payment until paid off. The School Property Listing states what improvements were made: a house and lot fronting on Main Street; a house and lot back on Main Street; two other lots adjoining; five additional lots adjacent to those listed above; two cisterns on one acre south of Main Street; eight acres more south of Main Street; two acres more north of Main Street; four acres more east of Main Street; another four acres east of Main Street; two acres more north of North Railroad Avenue; six lots more north and east across Railroad Avenue from three adjoining lots (about 14 total acres); four additional lots north. You can visit the museum at 6650 Griffin Rd, Davie, FL 33314.

 

Why was the Davie School Named?

It is believed that the first school on the property of the Davie School was built in 1867, two years after James Calvert purchased the land. The original school was a one room log cabin with an open hearth for heat and cooking. Learn More In 1875, the first teachers were: Miss Sally T. Woods, Miss Mary Ann Hudson and Miss Margaret Brown. In 1879, a second school was built on the same property and called the “Woodside School.” Woods and Hudson taught in the “Woodside School” while Margaret Brown taught in the first school.

 

Historic Davie School: The First Day

The Davie School opened on September 13, 1875 with two rooms, each with a fireplace and two single desks. The school was in session for almost one hundred years. In 1879, the first teacher, Miss Woods, was paid $50 per year. The first graduating class was the Class of 1885 with six students. The last graduating class was the Class of 1961. After graduating the class of 1961, the school was closed. The Davie School was donated to the City of San Sebastian in 1962 by the Calvert family, who had owned the land since 1873. The City of San Sebastian made the Davie School a museum and it is still open to the public today. Browse Around this Site

 

Historical Davie School: Timeline of Events

1867: John Calvert deeded land for the Davie School to Miss Ann McAfee Calvert, James Calvert’s wife. 1875: Davie School opens in a two-room structure. It was the first public school in the Town of San Sebastian. 1879: A second school building was built on the same property. This school is called “Woodside School.” 1880: The first year book is published. 1885: The first graduating class, six students, attend the Davie School. 1889: A new school building is constructed. The teacher’s residence is also built. The school is now called “Calvert School.” 1900: A new school is constructed. The first yearbook is published. 1910: A new school is constructed. A new library is built. 1920: A new school is constructed. A new library is built. 1930: A new school is constructed. A new library is built. 1940: A new school is constructed. A new library is built. 1950: A new school is constructed. A new library is built. 1960: The last graduating class, Class of 1961, graduates from the Davie School

Final Thoughts

The Davie School museum is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost to visit the museum is $3 per person. They sell tickets at the front door and you can reserve a ticket by calling 941-8888. The museum keeps a limited number of tickets for visitors. You should visit the museum while it is open because it is a great historical site that is now open to the public. It is a great way to learn more about the Davie School and why it is important in the history of San Sebastian.