The Florida Dozier School for Boys in Marianna
Dining hall construction with “White House” in background, 1936
Picture credit: Wikipedia
This story has been percolating in my head and heart since we moved down here nearly ten years ago,
it is not about Florida Wildlife it is about Florida Monsters.
But just like the Wildlife here that I am devoted to writing about, these children also had no voice.
If you blink as you drive West on Interstate 10 near Tallahassee in the Panhandle of Florida, you might miss Marianna.
This is a sleepy little town, that until we moved here and began seeing the News stories, had held only one memory, it was the town where we always stopped to eat at a place called Po – Folks.
Po – Folks has great country-style southern comfort food and a really friendly staff.
Absolutely nothing there, or anything that you see as you drive through, could possibly tell you about the dark, ugly secret this town once had.
Now when I think of Marianna, it will forever be because of the horrible, hideous stories continuously being splashed across our TV News Stations.
You see in Marianna, there used to be what is called a Bad Boys, or Reform School and it was said to be the biggest one in the entire United States.
You know, the kind of place where troubled children get sent to because no one can control them, or worse, wants them.
Some of them were orphans, others were just confused and needed guidance and help.
This House of Horrors is/was called the Dozier Boys School and it was also a place of torture, abuse and death for many who were sent there.
It is also said that the KKK were very much a part of the crimes here.
The school was opened in 1900 and closed in 2011 amid a flurry of accusations, threats and lawsuits.
Then Governor Crist had it all investigated, but as usual in this place called the racially oppressed and color divided State of Florida, this ugly mess was claimed to not have enough, or sufficient evidence to go further.
Those in control stepped out, hopeful it would all go away.
But not so fast, some survivors started making a lot of noise and some people were listening to their stories, better yet they were believing them.
It has been reported that almost 100 children died while this school was in operation.
Then several years ago a team of Anthropologists from USF in Tampa went to Marianna and began a dig.
The Dig team was led by Associate Professor and Forensic Anthropologist Erin Kimmerle, who had known about the school and wanted to see if something could be found.
Because my field of Education at College was in Anthropology and the majority of my Nursing experience was at a State Rehab Center in California, this story was of great personal interest.
One of the many sad things about this story, is the name that was given to the place where so much of the abuse happened, it was called the White House.
So, the survivors of this school nightmare, call themselves the White House Boys and they are determined to not only expose the crimes, but to shine a bring light on what happened there.
This time, they want to see justice for the victims and punishment for the perpetrators, if any are still alive.
These few survivors of unspeakable abuse want, need, to be assured that this can and will never happen again, anywhere.
The White House Boys also want an apology, as well as, who can blame them, compensation from those who kept the secrets of the Monsters of Marianna.
Places to learn more:
Read the Full USF PDF Report here: Dozier School Report
Florida School for Boys – Wikipedia
THE WHITE HOUSE BOYS SURVIVOR’S ORGANIZATION CORP
Florida to exhume bodies buried at former boys school
Remains of 2 more boys identified at closed Florida boys school
Boy missing since 1940 identified at closed Florida boys school
Florida’s Dozier School For Boys: A True Horror Story
Abuses at infamous Florida boys reform school even more widespread, report says
Walking with the Alligators 
I did not know this, how awful.
Yes, Anarette.
It was a place of unspeakable crimes against children ” with no voice.”
Interesting. I had never heard of this story and I’m on the East Coast (Mass). Who knew a modern day Auschwitz-Birkenau was taking place right here on US Soil! My passion is focused on animal rights when I learn of children being abused/murdered my blood boils. No doubt that place was being run by Psychopaths and Sociopaths. A movie should be made about this — or a documentary.
Do click on any of the links, you will find your answer~
I’m reading the links now. This reminds me of a movie I once saw with Brad Pitt who, as a kid, was sent to Juvy along with his friends. I forget the name of it, but him and his friends exacted revenge on the guards who harmed them as boys.
This fight will likely take place in a Florida Courtroom with a very educated audience!!
indeed.
If I can, would like to go see it.!
Hope they allow Breanna in the Courtroom??
I’m still reading. No doubt the courts will try and keep this story under wraps – a closed hearing.
Too late.
It is on every channel, every day here!!
She started her digs while we were in Tampa most of last summer.
We stayed right across the street from USF.
Massive publicity about this now.
Good. I’m glad to hear that. This story needs to be heard.
Trust me it, already is!!
People in very high places were covering up the truth — the should be put on trial (if still alive) and then work down from there…. to the actual people who committed the murders (again, if still alive).
Like Watergate, it is a huge cover up.
How often we sweep our horrors under the rug. –Curt
Til someone removes the rug!!!!
Then the vermin run for cover.
I heard about this story. SO crazy and sad! 😦
Thank you.
Yes, it is a despicable crime against children.
There are many crimes perpetrated against vulnerable groups of society, and children, of course, are the most vulnerable. They should have “done to them as they had done to others.” I hope some of them are still alive and they should be brought to justice in the name of those they harmed.
What matters is that the deeds are now in the public eye and no one can hide the truth anymore.
Your blog is very worthwhile to read…I am glad that I discovered you. I am sad, however, for the above story of abuse of young boys. My heart is so overwhelmed with all the suffering in this world. I am so tired of the power hungry men who rule the world…who are in it for power, control and greed. That is how something like this occurs. I think it is good that it is exposed and that is noble of you to dedicate your blog to speaking out about the injustice of this world. Tahnk you! Hopefully, more and more people will react to these situations and together we can bring light back into this dark world of today.
Thank you for your kind and loving heart and Welcome!!!
I did find out where in the world you are.
You look quite Scandinavian.
I just learned about my father this past Christmas.
His Ancestors came from Norway!