Huntsville in Madison County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Oakwood College
Founded 1896
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, August 26, 2010
1. Oakwood College Marker
Oakwood College, which began as an industrial school, was founded by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1896 to educate African Americans in the South. The school was erected on 380 acres purchased during the previous year for $6,700. Additional property secured in 1918 nearly tripled its land holdings. The school underwent several name changes over its history:
1896: Oakwood Industrial School
1904: Oakwood Manual Training School
1917: Oakwood Junior College
1943: Oakwood College
In 1958, Oakwood was granted full accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Oakwood prepares students from across America and many nations to serve the world in a variety of positions and careers, reflecting its motto, "Today's College for Tomorrow's Leaders."
On this site, too, stood the Peter Blow Plantation which counted Dred Scott among its slaves in 1819. In 1857, Scott captured national attention by virtue of his appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court for his freedom in Missouri after sojourning in the free state of Illinois.
Erected 1996 by Alabama Historical Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education.
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Location. 34° 45.129′ N, 86° 38.871′ W. Marker is in Huntsville, Alabama, in Madison County. Marker is on Adventist Blvd NW, 0.2 miles west of Sparkman Drive NW, on the right when traveling west. Marker is near the southwestern (main?) entrance to the school. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Huntsville AL 35806, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Oakwood College (approx. 0.7 miles away); Slave Cemetery (approx. ¾ mile away); Superconductivity Discovery (approx. 1.6 miles away); Buffalo Soldiers (approx. 2.3 miles away); Ms. Baker: Monkeynaut (approx. 2.8 miles away); U.S. Army PGM-19 Jupiter (approx. 2.8 miles away); T-38 Talon (approx. 2.9 miles away); Grissom • White • Chaffee (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huntsville.
Also see . . . Oakwood University. University website homepage:
Oakwood received its 'University' status in 2008. (Submitted on August 27, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama.)
Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, August 26, 2010
2. Oakwood College Marker
Looking east along Adventist Blvd from the median of the entrance to the school.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,329 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 27, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
