First Coconut Grove School
The First Coconut Grove School is a one-room wood schoolhouse built in 1887 from timber salvaged from shipwrecks. The small rectangular structure with a gabled roof and simple windows reflects the practical building methods of the era and now stands on the grounds of Plymouth Congregational Church.
The schoolhouse was built in 1887 and initially served Sunday lessons for community members. In 1889 it became the first public school in Coconut Grove, with Flora McFarlane hired as the first teacher for ten pioneer children in November of that year.
The schoolhouse served as a gathering place for the early community beyond just classroom lessons. The Woman's Club of Coconut Grove was founded here, reflecting how locals used the building to organize civic and social projects that shaped neighborhood life.
The schoolhouse is located on the Plymouth Congregational Church grounds along Devon Road and is accessible to visitors. The surrounding area is quiet with mature trees, making it easy to walk around and explore other nearby historic sites in the neighborhood.
The schoolhouse was built from timber salvaged from shipwrecks, showing how pioneers resourcefully used available materials. In 1970 the building was relocated to the church grounds where it now stands, allowing visitors to experience what school was like in the late 1800s.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
