South Boston in Halifax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Washington-Coleman Elementary School
South Boston, Virginia
— Halifax County —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 4, 2021
Determined to provide elementary education for young African Americans, the Rev. Parham B. Ragland started a school in his backyard sometime around 1875. Though the "Backyard School" was private, Rev. Ragland was able to garner financial support for his project from the Town of South Boston, thus representing the first known public support for Black education in Halifax County. The one-room school grew and led to the establishment of a public Black grammar school in Bloodfield (also called Mayfield). The school was eventually named the M.H. Coleman Grammar School. Though it was damaged by fire in 1937, it was repaired, reopened, and continued to operate until 1948, at which time it was moved to the former Booker T. Washington High School building.
Booker T. Washington High School was built for Black high school students who had been attending classes in unsatisfactory quarters above a store at 1811 North Main Street in South Boston. By 1932 funds raised by the Black community were joined with those from the South Boston School Board to build a four-room school with a library, multipurpose rooms, and a central office. Although the building was well equipped, it was a small school and limited in curriculum. In 1948 Washington High merged with the Halifax Training School (later known as Mary M. Bethune High School) to provide a centralized Black high school with an expanded curriculum. In 1969 Halifax high schools were integrated, and all Black and white high school students began attending Centerville High School. The former all-Black high school was then renamed Washington-Coleman Elementary School. Today, it still serves as an active part of Halifax's educational community.
Erected by Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail. (Marker Number HX4.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. In addition, it is included in the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.
Location. 36° 42.698′ N, 78° 54.265′ W. Marker is in South Boston, Virginia, in Halifax County. Marker is on Jeffress Boulevard, 0.1 miles west of Park Lane, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1927 Jeffress Blvd, South Boston VA 24592, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. E.L. Evans House (approx. half a mile away); Mizpah Presbyterian Church (approx. one mile away); Campaign of 1781 (approx. 1.1 miles away); Retreat to the Dan (approx. 1.1 miles away); Crossing of the Dan
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 4, 2021
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location also titled "Washington-Coleman Elementary School".
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 4, 2021
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 208 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 5, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.