Mobile in Mobile County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Emerson Institute

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 10, 2017

1. Emerson Institute Marker

Inscription. On this site stood Emerson Institute, Mobile's first school for the formal education of African-Americans and one of the few 19th-century normal schools for African-Americans in Alabama. Founded 1865 by the Freedmen's Bureau, the school was run by the American Missionary Association from 1866 until 1927 when it became a Mobile County public school. First located in the "Blue College" on Government Street, the school moved in 1877 here to 266 Scott Street after a disastrous fire. Many of its students had careers of local and national distinction. Emerson closed in 1970 and its buildings were demolished as part of the city's plan for urban renewal.

Erected 1995 by the Emerson Alumni Association and the Mobile Housing Board.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 30° 40.98′ N, 88° 3.047′ W. Marker is in Mobile, Alabama, in Mobile County. It is on Palmetto Street east of South Bayou Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 759 Palmetto Street, Mobile AL 36603, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Alabama’s Gulf Coast

and in Mobile Bay.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

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 New Spain,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

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 walking distance of this marker: James W. Roper (approx. 0.2 miles away); Big Zion African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 0.2 miles away); St. John's Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Home of Joe Cain (approx. ¼ mile away); Eugenie Marx (approx. ¼ mile away); The Quigley House (approx. ¼ mile away); Old Church Street Cemetery - 1819 (approx. ¼ mile away); Home of Raphael Semmes (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mobile.

Former location of the Emerson Institute. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 10, 2017

2. Former location of the Emerson Institute.

Emerson Institute Marker looking towards South Scott Street. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 10, 2017

3. Emerson Institute Marker looking towards South Scott Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 10, 2017. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,891 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 10, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.