Deerfield Beach Elementary School

Built 1926-27, listed in the National Register of Historic Places 1990
651 N.E. First Street, Deerfield Beach

Photo captions:

Early View of Deerfield Beach Elementary School
Image Courtesy of the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society

Deerfield Beach Elementary School, in 2011
Image Courtesy of Broward County Libraries Division

This two-story masonry structure was designed in 1926 by Thomas McLaughlin, one of Florida’s “boom-time architects.” Additionally, he designed the Oakland Park Elementary School (1926) which is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Deerfield Beach Elementary school is a fine example of the Mediterranean Revival style which was popular in the United States during the period of 1915-1940. The basis of Mediterranean Revival style is Spanish architecture; it also borrows elements from other styles, such as Italian Renaissance, Gothic, Moorish and Byzantine.

Deerfield Beach Elementary School continues to be used as a public school and remains essentially unchanged. Decorative details include arched walkways, intersecting gable roofs covered with S-shape Spanish terracotta barrel-tiles and a bell tower with twisted Corinthian columns. Open air loggias form primary corridors connecting classrooms and offices. The L-shaped building sits on a concrete foundation and the masonry walls are covered with a painted shelldash stucco finish. It has one of the earliest examples of terrazzo floors in Broward County.

There is a one-and-a-half-story auditorium wing which seats 277 and was designed for educational, religious and community events, including a community theater for the City of Deerfield. It is also used as a hurricane shelter. The auditorium has been restored to its original appearance. The school is the second oldest operating public school in Broward County.​​