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

Dunbar/Central High School

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 10, 2017

1. Dunbar/Central High School Marker

Inscription. Dunbar School was built on this site in 1924. Dr. W.A. Caldwell was its first principal. In 1947, the Old Medical College on St. Anthony Street was remodeled and became Central High School. Dr. Benjamin Baker was named principal. In 1955, the schools switched locations when Dunbar Junior High School moved to St. Anthony Street and Central High School was relocated here. Despite segregation, a culturally diverse curriculum evolved exposing students and the community to the arts. The school closed in 1970 as part of the Mobile school desegregation plan. Jonathan T. Gaines was principal. The building is presently part of Bishop State Community College.

Erected by the African-American Heritage Trail of Mobile. (Marker Number 17.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 30° 42.022′ N, 88° 3.999′ W. Marker is in Mobile, Alabama, in Mobile County. It is on Dr Martin Luther King Jr Avenue east of Ryland Street, on the right when

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traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1365 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, 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: Christopher First Johnson House (a few steps from this marker); Vernon Z. Crawford Law Firm (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dave Patton (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. James A. Franklin (approx. ¼ mile away); Michael Donald (approx. 0.7 miles away); Caldwell Field (approx. ¾ mile away); Catholic Cemetery (approx. ¾ mile away); Caldwell School (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map

View from marker looking east on Martin Luther King Jr Avenue. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 10, 2017

2. View from marker looking east on Martin Luther King Jr Avenue.

of all markers in Mobile.

Marker next to the Yvonne Kennedy Auditorium. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, December 10, 2017

3. Marker next to the Yvonne Kennedy Auditorium.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 5,364 times since then and 381 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 12, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.