Staff, students and Ballard Elementary mascot, Stripes, were jumping for joy on the first day of school this year. That's because the school is celebrating it's 100th year in 2022!
Today, we're taking a trip back in time with help from Manatee County Libraries' Digital Collection. This postcard from 1936 shows the original Ballard Elementary School. The school was built in 1922.
The school is named for Dr. Charles Ballard, known for his philanthropy and support of education. According to Manatee County Libraries, Dr. Ballard donated city lots and money to the highest achieving eighth grade students in Bradenton each year. The recipients of the land could either keep it as a future homesite, or sell it to support their future education.
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