Nearly century-old schoolhouse continues to unite community and serve as treasured gathering space
The Old Lutz Schoolhouse, recognized in 1993 as one of Hillsborough County's first official landmarks, has served its community since it was erected in 1927.
Lutz landmark
The first school in Lutz was a one-room frame schoolhouse located where the current brick schoolhouse is today. It was built in 1910 and, according to records, was attended by 37 students in 1912. Grades first through eighth all learned together in the original one-room building. At the time, Miss Callie Berry served as the students' principal and teacher. Berry was 18 when she began teaching at the school and was paid $30 a month.
In 1921, the first one-room schoolhouse was destroyed by a hurricane. A second school was constructed, which later became a lunchroom for the current schoolhouse that stands today.
As the population of Lutz grew, a larger schoolhouse was needed, and the Colonial Revival style structure currently standing was built in 1927. The original design included four rooms on the first floor and a large auditorium upstairs. A few years later, the second floor was divided into four additional classrooms and a teacher's room.
As time passed, the building fell into disrepair and required renovation. Volunteers from the community organized several annual events to support the schoolhouse's maintenance and insurance.
For decades, arts and crafts fairs and a haunted house held on the grounds were popular fundraisers for the building's upkeep. Citizens for the Old Lutz School Building, an all-volunteer organization which advocates for the school as both a landmark and community gathering space, oversees the building's preservation.
The Old Lutz Schoolhouse has received financial support from Hillsborough County through the Historic Preservation Challenge Grant Program.
Historical marker inscriptions
Hillsborough County Historic Landmark marker:
Old Lutz Schoolhouse
Circa 1927
Hillsborough County
Historic Landmark
National Register of Historic Places marker:
OLD LUTZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
ERECTED 1927
HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE
NATIONAL REGISTER
OF HISTORIC PLACES
BY THE UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
AUGUST 15, 1996
Marker locations
The Old Lutz Schoolhouse markers are on the west side exterior of the schoolhouse, at 18819 U.S. 41, Lutz, FL 33549.