African American Schoolhouse, Sail Loft (208 Tilghman St)

The yellow building on your left is also significant to the Black history of Oxford.  Currently a private residence, it began as the elementary school in 1899 for the Black children of Oxford and was one of the centerpieces of life in the Black community.  

After the school closed in 1934, the small structure between the house and street was moved here by the owners from Market Street where it had been an ice cream shop. 

The top floor of the main building became a sail loft. Operated by Downes Curtis and his brother Albert, African American sailmakers, made the building where they had been educated into their shop and sail loft.  They cut sails in the loft which had no heat in winter nor any air conditioning in summer. Downes Curtis was well respected in the sailing community and made sails for many local yachtsmen as well as celebrities including Errol Flynn.

The Curtis brothers worked into the mid-nineteen nineties when they retired. After Downes Curtis' death, the building fell into disrepair until 2001 when it was purchased and renovated as a private residence.

To return to Rt. 333 and Easton, continue up Tilghman Street then turn left on Morris Street. If you are wishing to take the ferry to Bellview, take a right on Morris Street.