After her marriage and move to Florida, Bethune became determined to start a school for girls. Bethune moved from Palatka to Daytona because it had more economic opportunity; it had become a popular tourist destination and businesses were thriving. In October 1904, she rented a small house for $11.00 per month. She made benches and desks from discarded crates, and acquired other items through charity. Bethune used $1.50 to start the Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls. She initially had six students—five girls aged six to twelve, and her son Albert. Within a year, Bethune was teaching more than 30 girls at the school. She then went on to found the Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona, Florida with Joseph Crooms and also purchased beach property and built one of the few motels on the Atlantic ocean that catered to people of color. Bethune was also present for the dedication of the William Clarke housing in Goldsboro in the 1950’s.