Otterville in Jersey County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Hamilton Primary School
Photographed By Jason Voigt, November 17, 2019
1. Hamilton Primary School Marker
In 1834 Dr. Silas Hamilton, physician and humanitarian, bequeathed $4,000 for construction and operation of a building for educational and religious purposes. A stone schoolhouse was opened in 1836, and the tuition-free education for local students attracted families to this area. The school was razed in 1872, rebuilt, and enlarged, with the original stones at the base. Classes were held here until 1971.
George Washington, a slave freed by Dr. Hamilton, studied here, became successful, and established a perpetual scholarship fund for Americans of African descent. He also provided for the erection of a monument to his former master.
Erected 1982 by Friends of the Hamilton Primary School and the Illinois State Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Education. In addition, it is included in the Illinois State Historical Society series list.
Location. 39° 3.054′ N, 90° 23.84′ W. Marker is in Otterville, Illinois, in Jersey County. Marker is on Main Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is in front of Hamilton School, which is next to the Jersey County Headstart
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Charles Brainerd House (approx. 5.9 miles away); The Hathaway Cemetery Memorial (approx. 6.1 miles away); The Red House / Cheney Mansion (approx. 6.2 miles away); The Lone Star School (approx. 6.2 miles away); 1116 West Main Street (approx. 6.2 miles away); 1201 West Main Street (approx. 6.2 miles away); The McAdams, Plummer & Hagen Cabins (approx. 6.2 miles away); Grafton (approx. 6.2 miles away).
Regarding Hamilton Primary School. Otterville, a village which has always had a population less than 250 since its incorporation in 1867, is home to the first free and integrated school in the United States. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. In 2014, Landmarks Illinois (a historic preservation group) declared the school "one of the most endangered places in Illinois" due to the building's longtime safety issues.
Also see . . .
1. Hamilton Primary School on Wikipedia. More information about the school. (Submitted on November 18, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
2. Hamilton Primary School
Photographed By Jason Voigt, November 17, 2019
2. Hamilton Primary School
In the background is the school, as well as the Hamilton monument mentioned on the marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 207 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 18, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
