Bethune-Cookman College was established from the merger in 1923 of two Florida institutions: the Cookman Institute for Boys of Jacksonville, founded in 1872 by the Reverend D. S. B. Darnell;  and the Daytona Normal and Industrial Institute of Daytona Beach, founded in 1904 by Dr.Mary McLeod Bethune.

Mary McLeod. Bethune was instrumental in promoting the education of African American children. In 1904, Bethune moved to Daytona to establish her own school, the Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls, which opened October 3, 1904 in a small cottage near the railroad tracks. Within two years the school had four teachers and 250 pupils, including boys. Faith Hall became the school's new home in 1907. By 1914, the school outgrew this small building, and the program moved to White Hall, an attractive Georgian Revival building completed in 1916. Renamed the Daytona Normal and Industrial Institute, it was the first high school for black students in the area. Financial uncertainty led to the merger with the Cookman Institute (c. 1898 drawing shown above). The school's named was changed to the Daytona-Cookman Collegiate Institute and had an affiliation with the Board of Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church.

Both institutions had curriculums rooted in Christian principles to address the growing need for rudimentary training for African American boys and girls. In 1931, the college took on its current name, Bethune-Cookman College. In 1941, implementation of a four-year college degree program in liberal arts and teacher training allowed study towards a Bachelor degree in Elementary Education. Mary McLeod Bethune's home, a National Historic Landmark, is located at 640 Second Ave. on campus.

LOCATION

Bethune-Cookman College is located in downtown Daytona, Florida.

TELEPHONE

(904) 255-1401

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING

Summers are hot and humid with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. In winter, freezing temperatures are infrequent with cool, damp, and windy conditions common. Light, loose fitting clothing is recommended in Spring, Summer, and Fall; layered clothing is recommended for Winter, with good walking shoes. Insect repellent is also recommend.

DIRECTIONS

From I-95, take state highway 92 east into downtown Daytona.

This map was created using MapQuest

ADDRESS

Bethune-Cookman College
640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114

TRANSPORTATION

Access by I-95, US 1, A1A, and numerous state routes; Daytona is served by an international airport.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Daytona has many local restaurants, retail and grocery stores within walking or short driving distance

ADJACENT VISITOR ACTIVITIES

  Tomoka State Park

  Canaveral National Seashore

  Bulow Plantation Ruins

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

On the World Wide Web, more information about the college can be found at Bethune-Coookman College's Home Page.  For more information on the Daytona Beach Area, contact Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at (904) 255-0415 or 1-800-854-1234. Also, more information on the Daytona area can be found on the World Wide Web at Daytona.com.