The Story of Old School Square

Old School Square’s roots can be traced back to the early 20th century when Delray Beach was a growing town on the shores of South Florida. The rest, they say, is history.

1894

The first public school established in Palm Beach County was constructed in the town of Linton in 1894 by African American settlers. The one-room, thatched hut “Dade County School #4, Colored,” was located on Blackmer Street, currently NW 5th Avenue in the West Settlers Historic District.

1907

The school closed due to lack of attendance. At the time, working African American children were only entitled to six months of education annually. Additional schools were built, and with the vision and determination of Clarence C. Walker and Solomon D. Spady, many generations of African American students were given the opportunity to excel in a segregated South Florida.

1896

A one-room schoolhouse was established by white settlers for children of European descent on the corner of what is now Swinton and Atlantic Avenue. It was built with a donation of $50 from early pioneer William Linton and a School Board grant of $250 for materials. It was a single story, one-frame building and had a front porch and a small bell tower. There were 33 white children in attendance in June of 1896. The school also served as town hall, recreational hall and a non-denominational church.

1913/14

Delray Elementary School (now Cornell Art Museum) was constructed.

1925

A new, separate building for the Delray High School (now Crest Theatre) was constructed. A gymnasium (now Vintage Gym) was also built.

1950

Delray High School closes. The elementary school eventually graduated its final class on June 7, 1988. Once a center of culture and education, hosting church services, community meetings and band performances, the buildings were in severe decline. Many thought to tear them down.

1985

When it was announced in 1985 that the Palm Beach County School Board intended to close deteriorating school sites county wide, Mayor Doak Campbell requested that the Delray Beach Historical Society set up a task force to consider a long-term use for the historic property. The “Old School Square” Foundation provided direction to the City Council and developed a program that preserved the three historic buildings. The City of Delray Beach purchased the property in 1987 and a new era of revitalization was born.

1990

The buildings were renovated and reopened as a cultural arts center:
The former elementary school building became the Cornell Art Museum.
The former high school auditorium became the Crest Theatre.
The 1925 gymnasium was renovated into a venue for events and is now called the Vintage Gym.