Lincoln Memorial High School, established as Lincoln Academy Grammar School,[1] was the only public high school for African Americans in Manatee County, Florida prior to desegregation. Located in Palmetto, Florida, it was originally established as Lincoln Academy in 1930, making it Manatee County's first school for blacks.[1] In 1949, Lincoln Academy was merged with Memorial High School, becoming Lincoln Memorial High School. The high school became Lincoln Middle School in 1969 after desegregation.[2][3]
History
editEstablished as Lincoln Academy serving area students up to 8th grade, in 1930 the school added 9th through 12th grades. It was Manatee County's first school for blacks. In 1949, Lincoln Academy was merged with Memorial High School which served African American students in Palmetto, becoming Lincoln Memorial High School.[4][2] When the schools merged, students and faculty selected the Trojan as the school mascot.[1] Eddie Shannon coached the football team.[5] The academy building became Bradenton Elementary School.[6]
The school's football field was on the other side of I.S. 41 and a tunnel was used to access it. The documentary film Through the Tunnel directed by Durand Adams, Charles E. Williams and Charles Clapsaddle was made about the history and the tunnel which remains and connects Lincoln Park and Lincoln Middle School.[4]
Lincoln Memorial High School became Lincoln Middle School in 1969 to accommodate desegregation. The school building was demolished in 1999 as a new school was being built.[3]
Lincoln Middle School became Lincoln Memorial Middle School, then Lincoln Memorial Academy.[7]
Lincoln Memorial Academy was a charter school in Palmetto, Florida. The academy's charter was revoked in 2019. A lawsuit challenging the revocation and claiming wrongful termination of the academy's charter was dismissed in 2023.[8]
Alumni
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Sunday Favorites: History African American Education in Manatee County". 25 February 2018.
- ^ a b Wilson, Nevy (2000-12-31). "Lincoln High alumni unite". The Bradenton Herald. p. 14. Retrieved 2023-05-29.
- ^ a b Belisle, Marc (1999-07-11). "Lincoln's halls filled with memories". The Bradenton Herald. p. 13. Retrieved 2023-05-29.
- ^ a b "Sunday Favorites: Historically Unknown Part II". thebradentontimes.com. 2 June 2019.
- ^ "Manatee County Icon & Legendary Coach Eddie Shannon turns 100". www.manateeschools.net. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ "Lincoln Memorial High School Historical Marker". hmdb.org.
- ^ Sabella, Guiseppe (2018-05-27). "School set up for new phase, but principal under a cloud". The Bradenton Herald. pp. A2. Retrieved 2023-05-29.
- ^ "Federal judge dismisses Lincoln Memorial Academy lawsuit, plaintiffs plan to appeal". Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
- ^ "Ray Bellamy - University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame". UM Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2023-05-29.