Since racial integration in schools was prohibited in the Florida Constitution of 1885 then in effect, the Legislature wished to avoid the integration mandated in the unanimous Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision of 1954 by demonstrating that a "separate but equal" higher education system existed in Florida for African Americans.
[2] The Jackson County Board of Public Instruction founded the school as the Negro Junior College.
The college was jointly supported by Calhoun, Jackson, and Washington Counties;[3] bus transportation was provided.
[9] A building with classrooms and administrative offices was opened in 1963, although the college continued to use the high school cafeteria and library.
[11] Only two faculty members made the transfer, and President Hurley reverted to the principalship of Jackson County Training School.