Red Oak in Charlotte County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Salem School
Red Oak, Virginia
— Charlotte County —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 24, 2021
After the Civil War, in the Red Oak area of Charlotte County, many freed slaves were welcomed to worship at Antioch Baptist Church, a traditionally white church. The Antioch congregation helped raise money to build Salem Baptist Church in 1865, specifically for their African American neighbors. Around 1900 the trustees of Salem Baptist Church deeded a half-acre of land to the Bacon District School Board for the purpose of building a schoolhouse for African American students. A one-room school was erected, funded partly by the school board, but also by the league of students' parents.
The need to improve rural African American education was emphasized in a survey in 1921 for public schools in Virginia and, as a result, the original school building was abandoned and the current Salem School building was constructed on the site. The $4,500 facility consisted of three classrooms in which grades 1-7 were taught. There was also a cafeteria, an entrance hall, and a cloakroom. The school was in operation until 1959, at which time the property reverted to the ownership of Salem Baptist Church. More recently, the church deeded the property to the Salem School Preservation Committee, which operates it as a nonprofit community center. Salem School was placed on the Virginia Landmarks Register in 1998 and is now used occasionally by Salem Baptist Church for gatherings.
[Caption:]
Replacing an outdated log school, Salem School was constructed ca. 1924 at a total cost of $4,500, paid with local dollars and monies from the Julius Rosenwald Fund. A philanthropist and the president of Sears, Roebuck, and Co., Mr. Rosenwald authorized the use of funds for the building of schools for African Americans all over the South.
Erected by Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail. (Marker Number CR4.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Civil Rights • Education. In addition, it is included in the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail, and the Rosenwald Schools series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.
Location. 36° 46.167′ N, 78° 38.212′ W. Marker is in Red Oak, Virginia, in Charlotte County. Marker is on Cargills Creek Road (County Road 632) just west of Tobacco Hill Road (County Road 608), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4537 Salem School Rd, Red Oak VA 23964, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Charlotte County / Mecklenburg County (approx. 3.2 miles away); a different marker
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), September 24, 2021
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location also titled "Salem School".
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 224 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 24, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.