Okolona in Chickasaw County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Okolona College

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 9, 2017

1. Okolona College Marker

Inscription. The Okolona Normal and Industrial School was founded in 1902 by Dr. Wallace A. Battle. It educated African Americans through high school and provided industrial training for young adults. At its peak, the school's enrollment topped two hundred students annually. In 1921, the school became affiliated with the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi and a member of the American Church Institute for Negroes. The school changed its name to Okolona College in 1934 and closed in 1965.

Erected by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.

Location. 34° 1.072′ N, 88° 45.31′ W. Marker is in Okolona, Mississippi, in Chickasaw County. It is at the intersection of North Church Street (Mississippi Route 245) and Laster Drive, on the right when traveling south on North Church Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: North Church Street, Okolona MS 38860, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Black Prairie

and in the North Mississippi Hills. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Battle of Okolona (about 400 feet away, measured in a

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direct line); Okolona in the Civil War (approx. one mile away); Our Confederate Dead Soldiers' Monument (approx. 1.1 miles away); Okolona Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.2 miles away); Okolona (approx. 1.3 miles away); Chickasaw County Confederate Tribute (approx. 1.3 miles away); Confederate Cemetery (approx. 1.3 miles away); a different marker also named Okolona (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Okolona.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on the Okolona College. (Submitted on April 13, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Ruins of Okolona College buildings still standing and neon entrance sign. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 9, 2017

2. Ruins of Okolona College buildings still standing and neon entrance sign.

The name Okolona is shown running vertically on the brickwork of the sign.

The view north on North Church Street. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 9, 2017

3. The view north on North Church Street.

Ruins of surviving college buildings. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 9, 2017

4. Ruins of surviving college buildings.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 993 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 13, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.