School of Organic Education
Bounded by Fairhope and Morphy Aves. and Bancroft and School Sts., Fairhope, ALChildren of Single-Taxers were charged fifty cents and others one dollar. In 1902 Marietta Johnson, a native of Minnesota, was hired to teach in the tiny colony. This woman was to have a profound effect on education in Fairhope, and before her death in 1938, somewhat of an impact on progressive education nationwide. Johnson received her training at the State Normal School in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. Her philosophy of teaching was profoundly influenced by Nathan Oppenheim's The Development of the Child (1898). Oppenheim stressed tasks as well as traditional academic courses in the educational process. By the summer of 1906 Marietta Johnson was using the term "Organic Education," taken from C. Hanford Henderson's Education and the Larger Life (1902).
Organic education was schooling aimed at nurturing the whole child - spiritual, mental, and physical. As the Courier defined it, "The child is a unit; body, mind, and spirit should be developed simultaneously. Growth should be unconscious and natural, It should be joyous and continuous, unhampered by striving for marks and promotions." With this philosophy as her focus, Johnson formally founded the School of Organic Education in November of 1907. The school began in a small cottage on Church Street and was free to locals. By 1908 there were fifty students. A typical days instruction included mathematics, wood shop work, arts and crafts, history, folk dancing, science and cooking. Grades and tests were dismissed as counterproductive in that they instilled
fear of failure rather than joy of learning. This educational experiment received widespread attention and endorsement. The New York Times sympathetically followed Organic's progress for years. Dr. John Dewey, a national figure in progressive education gave an enthusiastic review in his Schools of Tomorrow (1913) and noted intellectuals nationwide were drawn to visit this "utopia" in the deep south. In 1910 the Single-Tax Corporation purchased the Bell Building and provided ten acres of land rent free for the Organic School. Constructed in 1904 as a district school for the public schools, the Bell Building was a decided step up for the fledgling experiment in Organic education. This structure had brackets, palladian windows, a belfry and "two splendidly lighted rooms and a hall ten feet wide through the middle." By 1918 there were 131 students, many' of them foreign. These students boarded on the campus, providing an important source of revenue. The school prospered during the 1920s and consisted of nine buildings, over 200 students and 17 teachers. The close relations with the Single-Tax Colony were articulated by a planner in 1922, "The logical deduction of the spiritual leadership of the Organic School on the Single-Tax Colony is that the Organic principals are paramount in community life, not only in the school, but also in the city and that the laws of Organic structure and function assert their power and rule in all the scale of social life."-' Johnson traveled extensively promoting Organic education. She taught a regular summer course at Greenwich, Connecticut and eventually established nine satellite schools from New Jersey to California. She authored two books on the subject: Thirty Years with an Idea and Youth in a World of Men, both of which which were prosaic and dull. Friends were disappointed in these work's lack of excitement, something which Marietta Johnson conveyed so vividly in person. The depression years were difficult as outside revenue slacked off and boarders returned home. The 1930s was a period of one financial crisis after another for the Organic School. In addition, the tide of progressive education left the philosophy in its wake, never.to recover. Marietta Johnson died of exhaustion in 1938 and was mourned by a significant portion of Fairhope's population.
Despite persistent funding crises, Organic continued under subsequent leaders of lesser stature. The school also began to attract problem children which in turn lowered -its image. At present (1987) there are 22 students and the campus has been sold to Faulkner State Junior College. Leaders of the Organic School have pledged to continue.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The city of Tuskegee, Alabama is the birthplace of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military pilots. During World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen were trained at the Tuskegee Institute and went on to fly over 1,500 missions in the war.
In the 16th century, Spanish explorers arrived in the area and claimed it as part of their territory. They established settlements and missions, but their presence was short-lived as the French, British, and eventually the United States asserted control over the region. The county is named after Abraham Baldwin, a delegate from Georgia who signed the U.S. Constitution.
During the 19th century, Baldwin County became an important hub for shipping and commerce due to its strategic location and access to waterways. The towns of Daphne, Fairhope, and Bay Minette thrived as trading centers, attracting settlers from various backgrounds and cultures. The county also played a significant role in the Civil War, with some areas supporting the Confederacy and others remaining Unionist.
In the early 20th century, Baldwin County experienced a period of economic growth and development. The discovery of oil and natural gas reserves in the region brought new opportunities, and agriculture, particularly the growth of timber and citrus, continued to be important industries. The county also became a popular tourist destination, known for its pristine beaches and charming towns.
Today, Baldwin County remains a vibrant and growing community. It is one of the fastest-growing counties in Alabama, experiencing a boom in residential and commercial development. The county's rich history and natural beauty continue to attract visitors and residents alike, making it a desirable place to live, work, and play.
Baldwin County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Baldwin County, Alabama.
- 1800 - Baldwin County was established on December 21.
- 1809 - The county seat was established in Blakeley.
- 1868 - The county seat was moved to Daphne.
- 1901 - The county seat was moved to Bay Minette.
- 1907 - The first Baldwin County Courthouse was built in Bay Minette.
- 2005 - Hurricane Katrina caused significant damage in the county.
- 2010 - The population of Baldwin County exceeded 180,000 residents.