Meridian in Lauderdale County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Wechsler School

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 3, 2017

1. Wechsler School Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Built in 1894, this was the first brick public school building in east Mississippi for African American children. The school was named for Rabbi Jacob Wechsler, who led the drive to build it. Founded in 1871, the school was initially housed in St. Paul Methodist Church. At its height, the school enrolled 1,441 students. The Wechsler School, noted as the first public high school to qualify with the State High School Accrediting Commission, ceased operation in 1983.

Erected 2009 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 year for this entry is 1894.

Location. 32° 22.308′ N, 88° 42.565′ W. Marker is in Meridian, Mississippi, in Lauderdale County. Marker is at the intersection of 15th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, on the left when traveling west on 15th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1430 30th Avenue, Meridian MS 39301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least

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8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Wechsler School (within shouting distance of this marker); Freedom School (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Carnegie Branch Library for Blacks (approx. ¼ mile away); The Impact of Churches (approx. ¼ mile away); Whitfield "Big Central" High School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Dial House Site (approx. 0.3 miles away); Merrehope (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Merrehope (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Meridian.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on the Wechsler School. (Submitted on December 4, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

View of the former Wechsler School and the marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 3, 2017

2. View of the former Wechsler School and the marker.

View looking west on 15th Street (one-way runs west). image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 3, 2017

3. View looking west on 15th Street (one-way runs west).

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2017. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 200 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 4, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.