A historically black junior college in Florida (1959–1966) that served African American students during the segregation era.
Suwannee River Junior College was established in 1959 as part of Florida's effort to maintain racial segregation in higher education following the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision. It was one of eleven black junior colleges founded simultaneously to create a parallel system of "separate but equal" institutions. The college was founded alongside North Florida Junior College, which served white students. Located near Madison County Training School and Suwannee River High School, the institution initially operated in late afternoon and evening hours using high school facilities before constructing its own classroom building in 1960.
The college focused on preparing students for transfer to four-year institutions. Its only terminal program was in Secretarial Science. Enrollment grew from 90 students in the first year to a peak of 402 in 1964–65. The campus expanded with a library and administrative offices in 1963, and a gymnasium shared with the high school in 1965. James J. Gardener served as the initial president until 1961, when he was replaced by Jenyethel Merritt, who became the first female president of any college in Florida.
In response to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Madison County Board of Public Instruction announced in December 1965 that 1965–66 would be the college's final year. Unlike most Florida black junior colleges, nearly all faculty members transferred to North Florida Junior College; however, fewer than 50 black students made the transition, and the black community experienced a significant loss of belonging. The college closed in 1966. In 2012, a historical marker was erected at the former site. In 2016, North Florida Community College sponsored commemorative activities including exhibits of yearbooks and memorabilia.