ORNAMENTS:
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2006 - FIRST BRICK SCHOOL (1916)
- CHRISTMAS IN OKEECHOBEE COUNTY Limited
Edition Ornament
- ORNAMENT Details:
- 500 Produced
- 24 karat gold
on brass
- numbered certificate with historical information
- Historical Information (taken from certificate):
The first brick school was built in 1916, when the town of Okeechobee was part of St. Lucie County. Even though it was built one year before Okeechobee split from St. Lucie County, Okeechobee residents assumed the $37,843.00 construction cost.
The school was built by Hanner Brothers Construction with a crew of twenty-five men. It is a three-story building reflective of traditional Georgian style architecture. Seven different colors of Georgia brocks were utilized in the construction, and the sand in the mortar was carried by bucket from Lake Okeechobee.
The Building was the first public school for grades 1-12 and is the oldest public building in the county. It housed all Okeechobee City students until 1925 when a sister school, for grades 7-12 was built adjacent to the existing school. The school is the only remaining public building constructed before Okeechobee County was formed in 1917. It also holds the unique distinction of being the first building with indoor plumbing!
On Labor Day in 1933, the school suffered severe storm damage. Repairs were made using funds from the Florida Emergency Relief Administration, and the school was reopened in 1934. There were no major renovations to the building until 1995, when Okeechobee County School District received a historical preservation grant from the State of Florida.
The Okeechobee County School District Offices now occupy the building.
For many in Okeechobee County, the school holds many memories -- memories that will never be forgotten.
- Purchase - SOLD OUT.
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