St. John's Cemetery Individual Record

Alexander V. ClubbsAlexander V. Clubbs

Alexander V. Clubbs
(August 26, 1844 -- December 17, 1915)

Section: 9
Space: 2
Lot: 3
Spouse: Katherine Williams
Place of Birth: Rochester, N. Y.
Military: Civil War
Occupation: Building
Comments: Builder & contractor
Area: 1

Prominent Builder, Developer and Educator Helped to Beautify Pensacola; Member of an Outstanding Family

Alexander V. Clubbs was born Aug. 26, 1844 in Rochester, N.Y. He came to Pensacola in 1866 where he worked as a carpenter at the Pensacola Navy Yard. Later, he married Katherine Williams of Florence, Ala. and they settled in Pensacola, where he went into business for himself.

He was one of Pensacola�s leading builders for more than 40 years, building many of the East Hill homes. In the late 1870s, Clubbs built his house on the northwest corner of 12th Avenue and 12th Street; the latter became Blount Street. His large,two-story home was one of the first houses in Pensacola to have running water and, in 2002, the dwelling remains in excellent condition.

Clubbs was the builder of many of the former, large public buildings downtown such as the Old Opera House on Jefferson Street and the Clubbs building on Government and Palafox. He also built the Gulf Marine Terminal, later moved to Main Street near Bartram Park, and the earlier building of the First Baptist Church on Palafox Hill. He designed and supervised construction of many schools in the area.

Clubbs joined the school board late in the 19th century, serving as chairman for six years. In 1910, the first high school, A. V. Clubbs School, was built in the 1200 block of East Lloyd. For more than 80 years, the school served generations of local students .It was converted to a grammar school after 1916. In 1938 a large brick building along 12th Avenue was added; A. V. Clubbs was designated a junior high school. In 1969, the school became a middle school when the ninth grade returned to the high school. The original buildings were demolished in 1995 to make room for the new charter school. The new charter school building on the original site (12th and Llloyd Streets) became the �N. B. Cook School� and the name �A.V. Clubbs School.� was transferred to the building on Cervantes Street and 11th Avenue.

A. V. Clubbs was always interested in beautifying the city. He and his friend, W. D. Chipley, persuaded the city to enclose and beautify Plaza Ferdinand. They urged the planting of trees and building of sidewalks in the square. The American Forestry Association recognized Clubbs for his work in horticulture. A short street near the waterfront is named for Clubbs.

Clubbs was a director of two savings and loan associations. He represented the city in the Nicaragua Canal Convention on Nov. 30, 1892, when the canal was first proposed. Later, Panama was chosen for the canal site.

He was the father of eight children: four girls and four boys. His daughter, Occie, a well known and beloved historian, was a teacher in the Escambia school system for more than 40 years and served many years as principal of Agnes McReynolds School. The latter building became the PATS Center.

A. V. Clubbs died Dec. 17, 1915, and is buried in St. John�s Cemetery 1 North, Section 19.

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