Laurel in Jones County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Oak Park School

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 2, 2017

1. Oak Park School Marker

Inscription. Oak Park Vocational High School, located at this site, opened in September, 1928. Based on the pattern of Tuskegee Institute, the school provided academic, vocational, and agricultural education to African American students, and included faculty housing and dormitories. Among the school's graduates are Ralph Boston, an Olympic gold medalist in the long jump, and world-renowned opera singer Leontyne Price. A fire destroyed most of the school complex in 1957. A new Oak Park High School building was constructed the following year.

Erected 2004 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1928.

Location. 31° 40.403′ N, 89° 8.406′ W. Marker is in Laurel, Mississippi, in Jones County. It is at the intersection of Queensburg Avenue and Oak Park Boulevard, on the right when traveling north on Queensburg Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1205

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Queensburg Avenue, Laurel MS 39440, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Mississippi’s Pine Belt.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

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: Ralph Boston (approx. 0.6 miles away); Masonite Corporation (approx. 0.7 miles away); Beacon Homes (approx. 0.7 miles away); Dr. King Visits Laurel (approx. one mile away); Triangle Homes (approx. 1.2 miles away); F.W. Woolworth Building (approx. 1.4 miles away); Jones County Blues (approx. 1.4 miles away); Hotel Pinehurst (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Laurel.

View of marker in front of Oak Park School auditorium. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 2, 2017

2. View of marker in front of Oak Park School auditorium.

Oak Park Elementary School occupies buildings next to marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 2, 2017

3. Oak Park Elementary School occupies buildings next to marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2017. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,571 times since then and 152 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 3, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.