CITRUS COUNTY Fla. — A part of history is being memorialized.

The Historic Hernando School recently received a historical marker commemorating the schoolhouse’s significance to the area.

What You Need To Know

  • The Historic Hernando School was recently presented with a historical marker, commemorating the schoolhouse's significance to the area

  • Faeth Houle, a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, has made it her mission to see that the school be memorialized

  • Built between 1940 and 1941, the school was designed by Henry L. Taylor, who also designed the Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg
  • Restorative work of the school is on-going, with the goal of being completed in a few years' time

Proudly standing at the corner of U.S. 41 and Parsons Point Road, you may have driven past it. But what makes the former school so unique?

One local resident has made it her mission to see the site preserved.

“The reason to have this is for people to know the importance of this building," said Faeth Houle.

Houle is with the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Fort Cooper Chapter. She's also the person behind the sign.

“I was thinking about what I’d like to do for a marker and I read about this project of restoration in the paper and said, ‘Well, that’s what I need to do.'”

But not just any sign. A historical marker identifying the building's significance. Houle has devoted her time to commemorating the site and, for her, it's more than just a building.

“It takes me back to my school days. Does that tell you how old I am?" she said with a laugh.

Houle has earned dozens of medals and awards for her work with the Fort Cooper Chapter. She’s also committed to her community. And this particular project is a favorite of hers.

“Since I was a school teacher, and for my regent’s project, I wanted to do something and memorialize this," she sakd. "So I put in this historic marker talking about the school that was built in the ‘40s.”

Just walking with Houle around the grounds, you get the sense she knows her stuff.

“This school was built between 1940 and 1941 by the WPA. It was designed by Henry L. Taylor, who also designed the Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg.”

Getting to today took some time and plenty of patience.

“I received permission from the Historical Society to do it," Houle said. "Then I had to get permission from the county commissioners to do it. Then, once those were accomplished, I went to the national headquarters of the Daughters of the American Revolution and had to get their OK. But, of course, everything was closed due to COVID.”

Now, her patience is paying off.

“They’re in the process of restoring the inside," said Houle. "They have plans for out here. They’re going to put in a bus stop for the local buses over here. So I’d like to see that completed but that’s going to take a while.”

Restorative work will continue with the goal to complete the renovation in a couple years’ time. Meanwhile, Houle says she hopes the site will continue attracting visitors.

“This school is part of history so I would like them to recognize that. It was done 70 years ago so I think it’s important that we do that," she said.

Bringing each visitor closer to the past.