Florida Historical Markers Programs - Marker Detail

Description: This outstanding historical site began as the Spring Hill Missionary Baptist Church. The church was built in 1853 in what was known a Rosehead, later named Perry. The roots of the education of African Americans in Taylor County are tied to that church, which had the distinction of being the oldest church in the county. In subsequent years, several school buildings were erected and destroyed by fire. The worst of the fires followed the 1923 Rosewood Massacre, which occurred in nearby Levy County. The campus which housed Jerkins High School was built with Rosenwald funds and was erected in 1950. Originally named Perry Negro High School, the school was renamed after its principal Henry R. Jerkins after his death. Jerkins High School was the first school in Taylor County to be named after an African American and was one of the few black schools in Florida to teach all 12 grades. Jerkins High School officially closed its doors in 1970 after integration.