SCHOOL HISTORY

Henry Mitchell Elementary School was built in 1915. It was named in honor of Florida's 16th governor. Henry Laurens Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell was also a civilian soldier in the Confederacy, a lawyer, a prosecuting attorney, the editor of the Florida Peninsular Newspaper, a Circuit Judge, a Justice of the Supreme Court and Clerk of the Circuit Court here in his home county of Hillsborough.

Mitchell Elementary began as a small neighborhood school over 100 years ago. The neighborhood quickly outgrew the little school and in the mid 1920s a near seamless addition was added to either end of the building. Between 1949 and 1952 a cafeteria was added to the south side of the property. In 1999 a media center and four classrooms were built to the north of the original building. In 2006 the old cafeteria was demolished. Then twelve classrooms, a Multi Purpose room, and the Cafeteria were added.

With a hint of Mission Revival style architecture, Mitchell school is significant as an early example of the use of revival style elements in Tampa. The unusual character of the front entry really sets it apart from other schools and adds interest to the front facade.

Older schools can offer comfortable classrooms with lots of natural light streaming in through large windows, a warm, welcoming, beautiful place for the encouragement of learning as well as subtle lessons about their place in a community's history. Through a student's understanding of Mitchell's history comes respect for the past and responsibility of stewardship for the building and the surrounding community.

The gleaming wood floor hallways show wear, but echo rich traditions and pride shown by students, teachers, staff and parents. Today it continues to service the surrounding neighborhoods with a strong dedication to excellence in academics as well as community involvement. The school is now considered one of the finest public schools in Hillsborough County.