This is a brief history of the Century High School. This history would not be appropriate without a short History of the Century grammar Schools as taken from the minutes of the Escambia County School Board Meetings.
In 1901 an almost square building containing two rooms was built on the North side of Church Street at Mayo Street.
It was built by the Alger-Sullivan Lumber Company (Hereinafter referred to as the Company) On September 23, 1901, the Board of Public Instruction (Hereinafter referred to as the Board) on motion voted that the New School at Century was to be organized and be known as School No. 79 and that same should be begin operation on the 15th of October 1901.
Provided everything was in readiness and same should continue for six months with two teachers. The Supervisor was to receive $40.00 per month and the assistant to receive $30.00 per month.
At the meeting of the Board November 8, 1901, Mr. Thomas J. Peck was appointed as Supervisor of School No. 79.
At the Board Meeting of May 8, 1902, a communication was received from the Company in regard to School No. 79 wishing to know when the Board would pay for same. The request was read and on motion and approval the Superintendent was instructed to write an offer $877.78 with $377.78 in cash to paid at the next meeting of the Board, June 9th, proximo and a Warrant of $500.00 payable June 15, 1903 with interest at the rate of 8% per annum from June 15, 1902, making the total cost $877.78 plus interest.
An application from Miss Ethel Hayes for permission to use one of the rooms in school building No. 79 for a private school was directed to be held in abeyance until the Board received an answer to their proposition to purchase the building.
On June 9, 1902, the Company having agreed to accept the Board's terms for the purchase of the school building No. 79 made on May 8th cost with a proviso that the deed to the said property not be delivered until the payment of the time Warrant for $500.00 had been made.
On Motion it was voted that the Superintendent should write to the Company stating that the Board must have a deed to Said property known as School No. 79 before same would be paid for, but there would be no objections to a vendor’s lien be retained in the said deed by the Company until the time Warrant for $500.00 had been paid.
On June 30, 1902, the Board on Motion instructed the Superintendent to notify the Company that instead of issuing two Warrants in payment for School Building No. 79 that same would be paid in full as soon as the deeds for said property was made and approved.
On August 18, 1902, a Warranty Deed 1n acknowledgement of full payment for the new School Building No. 79 at Century, Florida having been Executed by the Company to the Board of Escambia County, Florida, same was ordered recorded and filed.
On April 8, 1903, permission was granted to Miss Ethel Hayes to hold a Private School in one room of the School Building No. 79 this term. Mr. C. M. Porter was on recommendation of the Superintendent appointed as Supervisor of School No. 79 at Century.
