Welcome to The Annie Lytle Preservation Group!
The Stately, Century-old Public School Number Four
The Annie Lytle Preservation Group is a group of dedicated volunteers committed to the preservation, and eventual restoration of Public School Number Four, which is located in the Brooklyn area of Jacksonville, Florida.
How We began...
Timothy Kinnear, who heads the Annie Lytle Preservation Group began in 2005. Riding by the property, he noted signs posted on the perimeter fencing, indicating a request to City Council for demolition of the School. Opposed to this action, he contacted the National Trust for Historic Preservation and local media. He began raising public awareness to what was being proposed for the property. Public outcry of this action ensued, and eventually the intent to demolish was rescinded. At the time, the plan was to demolish the present building and build new for a Retirement Facility. Subsequent plans called for Residences for 55 and up, and as with previous proposals for the School, whether lack of funding, changes in demographics, grants, none of these plans ever materialized.
How We began...
Timothy Kinnear, who heads the Annie Lytle Preservation Group began in 2005. Riding by the property, he noted signs posted on the perimeter fencing, indicating a request to City Council for demolition of the School. Opposed to this action, he contacted the National Trust for Historic Preservation and local media. He began raising public awareness to what was being proposed for the property. Public outcry of this action ensued, and eventually the intent to demolish was rescinded. At the time, the plan was to demolish the present building and build new for a Retirement Facility. Subsequent plans called for Residences for 55 and up, and as with previous proposals for the School, whether lack of funding, changes in demographics, grants, none of these plans ever materialized.
Some of our members showing off the team flag.
Requesting permission of the owner at the time ,Tim was granted permission to work on the property under a hold harmless agreement. While ownership changes have occurred over the years, the subsequent owners, have also permitted Tim and The Annie Lytle Preservation Group team to continue the cleanup even inside the building. By mid 2012 the Crew made major head way on effectively getting the perimeter fence and land cleared, particularly the School's back yard, Courtyard, Dead, and diseased trees and non-contributing trees have been removed, greatly enhancing the appearance of the property .
In 2023, The effort continues strong; with the addition of more enthusiastic volunteers, we continue working inside the building, toward the goal to remove all debris and trash and secure the structure for renovation. Pictures to follow clearly show our endeavor, over the years and so much progress has been made on the inside. It is approximately a 46,000 square foot structure that has had little significant maintenance, and non-stop vandalism for 40 plus years, We have much work ahead of us , with the end result that the building is prepared for renovation.
In 2023, The effort continues strong; with the addition of more enthusiastic volunteers, we continue working inside the building, toward the goal to remove all debris and trash and secure the structure for renovation. Pictures to follow clearly show our endeavor, over the years and so much progress has been made on the inside. It is approximately a 46,000 square foot structure that has had little significant maintenance, and non-stop vandalism for 40 plus years, We have much work ahead of us , with the end result that the building is prepared for renovation.
ALL EXPENSES ARE PRESENTLY OUT OF POCKET. WE CANNOT ACCEPT MONETARY DONATIONS, BUT WELCOME DONATIONS OF MATERIAL SUPPLIES AND GIFT CARDS TO HARDWARE STORES.
THANKS SO MUCH!
A word from our founder
What will become of the building?
Well.... if myself and our organization had not stepped in a decade ago and started moving it into a positive direction, its very possible, probably likely, that it would have been demolished by now. In fact, it was because of a pending request to get a demolition granted that I became committed to fighting that. Bottom line, if it continued to be derelict, sitting waist deep in trash and vandalized building materials , and day in and day out breaking in, vandalism, graffiting, etc it would be gone.
Well.... if myself and our organization had not stepped in a decade ago and started moving it into a positive direction, its very possible, probably likely, that it would have been demolished by now. In fact, it was because of a pending request to get a demolition granted that I became committed to fighting that. Bottom line, if it continued to be derelict, sitting waist deep in trash and vandalized building materials , and day in and day out breaking in, vandalism, graffiting, etc it would be gone.
Tim Kinnear, Founder of Annie Lytle Preservation Group
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What will we do with the school?
That has not been determined. but what we ARE doing is making it WAY better, condition wise, than it has been in 4 decades. I am confident that our group will continue and WILL NEVER stop working until we finish our clean-out and clean-up and identify a positive use for the School that does not involve a bulldozer. Where there is a will THERE IS A WAY, and we have proven that. A small closely knit group that has collectively put hundreds and hundreds of man hours , and our own resources into cleaning this place up. Asking nothing of owners except to back up and let us make it better. and WE WILL succeed in making the building viable again some day. Just watch... |
~~~~~ ATTENTION ~~~~~
We are a group committed to the maintenance and renovation of Public School Number Four. Nearly daily , we get requests from individuals , asking us to allow them to video or do photography. We are permitted on the property for purposes as we have outlined and we are not EVER in a capacity to allow folks on to the property or into the building, to photograph, video, or tour the School's property. PLEASE REFRAIN from asking for permission to do these, simply because we are not legally permitted to do so.
*** YOU WILL BE ARRESTED IF YOU ARE CAUGHT TRESPASSING ON THE PROPERTY ***
We cannot stress this enough - YOU WILL GET ARRESTED IF YOU ARE CAUGHT TRESPASSING ON THE PROPERTY. We partner VERY closely with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office - there are NO EXCUSES!! We have been working at the school now for years securing the perimeter with ample "NO TRESPASSING" signs throughout the grounds and on the fence.
SNEAKING INTO THIS BUILDING IS NOT WORTH WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET CAUGHT!!! The building is NOT HAUNTED, all those rumors are FALSE. We have covered up all the graffiti and removed thousands of pounds of trash and debris. Folks, it is just an empty building that we are working so hard to save - you trespassing on it can greatly hinder our efforts. With this being October and Halloween approaching, stay away from Public School Number Four because you will be caught. We have SECURITY there 24/7 and we do not hesitate to calls the cops on anyone.
We are a group committed to the maintenance and renovation of Public School Number Four. Nearly daily , we get requests from individuals , asking us to allow them to video or do photography. We are permitted on the property for purposes as we have outlined and we are not EVER in a capacity to allow folks on to the property or into the building, to photograph, video, or tour the School's property. PLEASE REFRAIN from asking for permission to do these, simply because we are not legally permitted to do so.
*** YOU WILL BE ARRESTED IF YOU ARE CAUGHT TRESPASSING ON THE PROPERTY ***
We cannot stress this enough - YOU WILL GET ARRESTED IF YOU ARE CAUGHT TRESPASSING ON THE PROPERTY. We partner VERY closely with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office - there are NO EXCUSES!! We have been working at the school now for years securing the perimeter with ample "NO TRESPASSING" signs throughout the grounds and on the fence.
SNEAKING INTO THIS BUILDING IS NOT WORTH WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET CAUGHT!!! The building is NOT HAUNTED, all those rumors are FALSE. We have covered up all the graffiti and removed thousands of pounds of trash and debris. Folks, it is just an empty building that we are working so hard to save - you trespassing on it can greatly hinder our efforts. With this being October and Halloween approaching, stay away from Public School Number Four because you will be caught. We have SECURITY there 24/7 and we do not hesitate to calls the cops on anyone.
You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. ~Philippians 4:13
