‘It will be a destination’: Plans in works to preserve, transform Old Stanton High School

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The push continues to help save one piece of African American history in LaVilla.

For more than five decades, the doors at Old Stanton High School have been closed to students.

Action News Jax received an inside look at the school, as plans are underway to renovate the entire property.

The goal is to preserve the past, but also to pave the way for the future.

Old Stanton High School was the first high school built in Florida for African Americans.

We told you in June when checks for $2.5 million were awarded by the state to help preserve and transform the Old Stanton High School building that closed in 1971.

RELATED: ‘Jacksonville needs to know about it:’ State grants $2.5 million to restore Old Stanton High School

Mamie Davis is the chair of the Board of Trustees of Historic Stanton, Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

“By getting that kind of money, it tells us other people believe in it too and that this renovation can happen,” Davis said. “It’s possible, so it’s very encouraging.”

Davis said the entire project will cost around $22 million to complete.

The school was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 and was also the school James Weldon Johnson attended as a student.

“He was actually principal here when he wrote ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing,’ and it was first performed by schoolchildren here in the state of Jacksonville,” Davis said.

The lot was purchased in 1868 to place a school for newly freed Black children.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

The first two buildings were destroyed in a fire, and another after that was deemed dangerous.

This fourth and most recent building was built in 1917. It closed in 1971.

“In April of 2020, part of our roof collapsed,” Davis said.

The community is determined to save this piece of history, despite these setbacks.

Plans include an event space, a museum focused on the school’s history, classrooms and much more that can’t be shared just yet.

“We are now looking at putting an economic engine in here,” Davis said. “It will be something that not just LaVilla, but the entire city of Jacksonville and visitors to Jacksonville will be excited about it,” Davis said. “It will be a destination in itself.”

Old Stanton High School is located at 521 West Ashley St.

Stanton College Preparatory School is located at 1155 W 13th St., Jacksonville, FL 32209.

CLICK HERE to donate.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.