Fruitland Peninsula Historical Society (FPHS) notes with deep regret that the Putnam County School Board has recently approved the filing of a Florida Department of Education application for the demolition of a contributing structure in the heart of Crescent City's National Register Historic District. This structure, constructed in the Classical Revival style in 1927, is the Main Administration building of the historic George C. Miller, Jr. Middle School, located at 101 S. Prospect Street (Building #1) in Crescent City. 

The Putnam County School District administration filed the demolition application without first notifying the City administration or citizens and stakeholders of Crescent City. FPHS is dismayed that the Putnam County School District administration has failed to adequately respond to the questions and concerns of the Crescent City community they serve since the School Revitalization Plan was first proposed in January 2021. The City Administration, citizens, and stakeholders of Crescent City currently have as yet received no indication from the Putnam County School District as to the specifics of development plans for the historic Crescent City School site.

Historic Preservation is a foundational principle of the "Historic Crescent City, Life Between the Lakes" theme of the Crescent City community redevelopment effort and its designation as a Florida Main Street Community. FPHS is designated within the City of Crescent City's Main Street application as the local historic preservation organization, and the structure designated for demolition falls within the designated historic Main Street area.

FPHS is convinced that constructing a much larger and modern, new school at the existing school site is incompatible with the historic neighborhood location as well as the strategic goals of our community redevelopment effort.

FPHS agrees the children in Crescent City and the rest of South Putnam deserve a new elementary school. However, we do not believe that we need to demolish historic structures and replace them with modern buildings that won’t blend within the confines of this historic neighborhood. Help us save this historic school!