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Leon County Celebrates 100 Years of Fort Braden’s Historic Schoolhouse and Community Center
Leon County Government celebrated the 100th anniversary of the historic Old Fort Braden School, now the Fort Braden Community Center, on Saturday, Nov. 7, with a community gathering honoring the site’s history and its continued role in bringing residents together.
Built in 1926, the schoolhouse served Fort Braden students until 1993 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The centennial celebration, themed “From Learning to Living: Celebrating 100 Years of Fort Braden’s School and Community Center,” welcomed hundreds of residents for a family-friendly event featuring free food, music, games and activities.
During the celebration, County officials, County staff and a Fort Braden community advocate shared remarks reflecting on the site’s 100-year history and its lasting significance to the area. After the program, the community gathered in front of the building for a photo to commemorate the centennial celebration.
The celebration also offered attendees a first look at the new Fort Braden History Wall, installed inside the community center. The display features a timeline of significant events and historical photographs documenting the community’s past.
Contribute your own historical photos from the Fort Braden Community!
Contribute historical photos from the Fort Braden community to be considered for the digital display element in the new Fort Braden History Wall installation, located in the Fort Braden Community Center.
You can submit digital copies online at any time.
View the current gallery of photos online now!
Capture the spirit of Fort Braden for future generations!
Help preserve a snapshot of Fort Braden for future generations! In celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the Fort Braden School and Community Center, Leon County is collecting small, meaningful items that reflect the Fort Braden community and life in 2026 for a time capsule to be opened in 2051. We welcome letters, photographs, copies of historic documents, children's artwork, postcards, and small commemorative objects.
All submissions will be reviewed for size, suitability, and long-term preservation. Acceptance is subject to available space and the time capsule's preservation requirements.
Collection dates: November 7–30, 2026
Drop-off location:
- Fort Braden Community Center (November 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., during the anniversary celebration)
- Fort Braden Branch Library (November 10 to 30, 2026, during normal operating hours)
To ensure items can be safely preserved, all contributions must be clean, dry and in good condition. Paper items should be no larger than 5 by 8 inches, and three-dimensional items should be no larger than 3 by 3 by 3 inches. Residents should submit copies of oversized photographs or documents rather than original materials. Food, liquids, plants, perishable items, batteries, hazardous materials, and fragile or bulky objects cannot be accepted. Items that do not meet these guidelines must be approved in advance and may not be accepted.
Help us capture the spirit of Fort Braden today so future generations can discover our community's story tomorrow!