South Hill in Mecklenburg County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Mecklenburg County Training School
By J. J. Prats, August 20, 2017
1. Mecklenburg County Training School Marker
In 1915, four influential African American residents of South Hill—the Rev. J. H. Simmons,
Mary E. Simmons, Robert Walker, and James E.
Skipwith—established the Mecklenburg County
Training School for black students. The school
operated in the True Reformer Lodge Hall for
three terms before a two-room frame building
was constructed in 1918. Matilda M. Booker,
Jeanes supervisor of black teachers in 1920,
secured $1,500 from the Rosenwald Fund and
encouraged parents to raise another $3,000 for
a new school building. With the county’s aid,
the 500-student school was completed near here
in 1925. It burned in 1942.Erected 2007 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Z-159.)
Marker series. This marker is included in the Rosenwald Schools marker series.
Location. 36° 43.39′ N, 78° 7.759′ W. Marker is in South Hill, Virginia, in Mecklenburg County. Marker is on East Virginia Street east of South Mecklenburg Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 Meadow Street, South Hill VA 23970, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other
By J. J. Prats, August 20, 2017
2. Mecklenburg County Training School Marker
Also see . . . Mecklenburg’s black history. 2015 article by Patrick Love in the South Hill Enterprise. Quote: “All of our parents taught us, if we didn’t get an education, we’ll be lost,” W.P. Hudgins said. “I know my Daddy constantly instilled in me, if you get an education, no one can take it from you. That’s the thing you’ll take to your grave. But anything else, someone can take. But an education is going to stick with you forever, and it’s going to take you places.” (Submitted on August 25, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)
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Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2017. This page originally submitted on August 25, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 157 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 25, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
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