Life of A. Quinn Jones​

Allen Quinn Jones was born March 3, 1893, in Quincy, Florida. He was the sixth of seven children and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1915 at Florida A&M College. He graduated at the top of his class.

After college, Jones taught at rural schools in Gadsden, Liberty and Jackson counties. He later became principal of Public School No. 44, an elementary school in Pensacola. He then transferred to Washington High School in Pensacola. There, he taught English, math and science and served as assistant principal.

In 1921, students began calling him “Prof” Jones. That year, he accepted a position as principal of Union Academy in Gainesville. Two years later, he became the first principal of Lincoln High School when it opened in 1923. The school served grades one through 11.

Jones believed his students deserved full high school diplomas. He worked to prepare Lincoln High School for state accreditation. In 1926, the school became fully accredited. It was only the second African American high school in Florida to earn that distinction. Accredited diplomas allowed graduates to attend colleges and universities.

In 2009, the State of Florida placed a historic marker at the A. Quinn Jones home. Later that year, the National Register of Historic Places listed the home as historic. This honor recognizes people and places of national historical importance.

“I never dreamed this would happen,” said Oliver Jones, speaking about his father’s home. “But I’m truly proud that it did.”