Solomon Calhoun Community Center
1300 Duval St.
St. Augustine, Florida Map
Contact: Ashley Brown
P: (904) 209-0379
E: abrown@sjcfl.us
About the Center
The Solomon Calhoun Center is a 24,000 square-foot community center located within walking distance of many residents of West Augustine.
- Full-size gymnasium
- Swimming pool
- Splash park
- Community rooms
- Sports fields
Activities
- Adult Open Gym
When: 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., M, W, R, F except Holidays
Details: Round up some friends during our Adult open gym hours at the Solomon Calhoun Center. This program is free, but you must bring your own basketball and sign in upon arrival. For more information, contact Ashley Brown at abrown@sjcfl.us or 904.209.0379. - Student Open Gym
When: 3:00 - 5:30 p.m., M, W, R, F except Holidays
Details: Students, bring your friends and play some ball during our open gym hours at the Solomon Calhoun Center. This program is free, but you must bring your own basketball and sign in upon arrival. For more information, contact Ashley Brown at abrown@sjcfl.us or 904.209.0379.
Programs
- Northeast Florida Community Action Agency
This non-profit community action agency provides assistance to the community with food, utility assistance, employment programs, credit counseling, and other support. For more information on these programs, call 904-824-0978 or visit NFCAA.net. - St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office
Weed and Seed Program - West Augustine Athletic Association
The West Augustine Athletic Association is a volunteer based organization. They provide football, cheerleading, dance, and stepping. Future programs include flag football, basketball, softball & summer sports conditioning program. For more information on these programs go to www.leaguelineup.com.
About Solomon Calhoun
Solomon Calhoun was a long-time educator, mentor and coach in St. Johns County. St. Johns County is pleased to honor this long-time educator and community activist with the name Solomon Calhoun Community Center. The name was initiated by residents, requested by the West Augustine Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), supported by the St. Johns County Recreation Advisory Board and approved on April 7, 2009, by the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners.
Born in 1905, in Alpine, Alabama, Calhoun grew up in Alpine and Talladega, before spending two years at Clark College in Atlanta, where he studied and played football. Calhoun then transferred to Florida A&M University, excelling both in the classroom and on the football field. Calhoun holds the distinction of being the first Florida A&M football player to be named first-team All American, an honor he received in 1934.
Calhoun also earned a bachelor’s degree in 1936 and a master’s degree in 1955, both from Florida A&M University. He also studied at Ohio State, Florida State and the University of Florida, and spent most of his life as an educator, teacher, coach, mentor and community leader in St. Johns County. In December of 1936 Calhoun married Linnie Lucinda Smith; together they reared and influenced many youth in the community, too numerous to name. Calhoun passed away after a full and productive life in 1989.
Calhoun’s long resume includes the Hastings (FL) Vocational Training School, Excelsior High School (St. Augustine), Bunnell Carver High School (Nassau County), and Florida Memorial College. Calhoun also worked for the Florida East Coast Railroad Company, served as principal of Excelsior Elementary School, was director of Pupil Welfare in St. Johns County and owned the Chapin Street Grocery and Washeteria in St. Augustine.
Calhoun’s community service was vast, impacting many individuals throughout his lifetime. He was a charter member of the St. Johns County Chapter of the North East Florida Community Action Agency, was an active member and Sunday School teacher at St. Paul A.M.E. Church, and also served on the committee for the naming of the renovated Orange Street School Administration Building. He held memberships in the NAACP, Grand United Order of Oddfellows, San Sebastian and Elks Lodge, St. Johns County Retired Educators Association, National Retired Teachers Association, St. Johns County Mental Health Association, Venetian Club and Clique Social Club.
