RE LOG Spring '25

From the Archives 70 Ransom Everglades LOG SPRING 2025 Ransom Everglades School’s journey of “building for the future” began in 1896 with Paul Ransom’s construction of Pine Knot Camp on the tract of land he had purchased in 1893, which is now the Ransom Campus. The buildings were constructed from locally sourced, termite-resistant Dade County pine which covered the South Florida landscape. By the time Ransom opened the Adirondack-Florida School (AFS) in 1903, he had created a well-developed campus of pinewood buildings. This was the school’s foundation as the facilities expanded to meet the educational needs of an ever-increasing enrollment during the following decades. In 1949, after the sale of the northern campus, the AFS became the Ransom School with D. Pierre G. (Pete) Cameron as the head of school. He and the trustees deemed the wooden buildings too dated for mid-century education, so embarked on a plan to replace them. A demolition process started and by the end of the 1960s, construction was well underway with a new dormitory, infirmary, dining hall, Ludington Hall and Cameron Hall already completed. Each building was a blend of local stone, steel and glass and offered air-conditioning. Only two of the original AFS pine buildings remain; one is the Pagoda, built in 1903, and the other is the Ransom Cottage, dated 1909. Likewise, at the Everglades School for Girls which opened in 1955, Marie and Edward Swenson created a campus with the future in mind, building structures such as Swenson Hall, the dining hall and a combined administration/library building. By the time of the merger of the two schools in 1974, both were focused on providing the best educational facilities for their students. Fast forward to 2025, Ransom Everglades School continues to transform the campuses with buildings that prioritize environmental responsibility and the integration of advanced technology, as well as a culture of academic excellence, creativity, collaboration and global connectivity. Please enjoy the gallery of photos which provide a brief glimpse into the school’s history of consistently building for the future. If you would like to learn more about the school’s history or wish to donate items to the archives collection, please contact Katrina Patchett, Director of Libraries and Archivist, at 305 460 8867 or email kpatchett@ransomeverglades.org By Katrina Patchett, Director of Libraries and Archivist Ransom Everglades School: 1896, Pine Knot Camp: This building was called the “Jungalow.” The photo shows the prevalence of Dade County pine trees in the area. 1925, Adirondack-Florida School: The study hall. 1966, Everglades School for Girls: Swenson Hall, designed by architect Trip Russell and audio scientist Harold Burris-Meyer opened in February 1966 and at the time it was considered one of the finest theaters in South Florida. The school also made the hall available to community groups for meetings and theatrical productions.