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

Cherokee High School

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 13, 2022

1. Cherokee High School Marker (side A)

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Cherokee High School began here in 1921 as a grammar school with two teachers in a new frame building. The building was erected by African Americans using a Julius Rosenwald Grant with additional funds from the local community. The county school board agreed to operate the school after it was built. The cost of the school was $2,900 — $1,200 from the African American community, $800 from the Rosenwald Grant, and $900 from public donations raised through nickel and dime donations, individual and church gifts, picnic sales, and ballgame admissions. Some farmers planted and gave an acre of cotton or donated lumber or labor.

Cherokee was one of seven Rosenwald schools in Colbert County and one of 5,357 such schools, workshops, and teacher homes built in the South. As it grew, more teachers and classrooms were added. Grammar school graduates from Lane Springs, Barton, and Pride attended the school plus additional students from Carter Branch, MS. The first class graduated in 1938 and the last class in 1969. Total graduates exceeded 500. Five principals served the school: Alfred Carter, Amanda Bailey, E.Z. Matthews, C.K. Calloway, and P.B.

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Reynolds. Due to integration, the school closed and the students moved to Cherokee Vocational High School. Later, after renovation, the school reopened as a middle school.
Sponsored by Cherokee High School Alumni and Colbert County Historical Landmarks Foundation

Erected 2010 by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Education. In addition, it is included in the Rosenwald Schools series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 34° 45.232′ N, 87° 57.494′ W. Marker is in Cherokee, Alabama, in Colbert County. Marker is on Middle School Road north of Old Lee Highway (County Road 20), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4595 Old Lee Hwy, Cherokee AL 35616, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. History of Cherokee (approx. 0.9 miles away); Chickasaw Indian Agency (approx. 2.4 miles away); Barton Hall (approx. 2½ miles away); Something to Chew on (approx. 3.7 miles away); Bridging Cultures (approx. 3.7 miles away); Levi Colbert Stand (approx. 3.7 miles away); Civil War Skirmish at The Barton Cemetery / Civil War Skirmishes at Barton

Cherokee High School Marker (side B) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 13, 2022

2. Cherokee High School Marker (side B)

(approx. 4½ miles away); Trace Travelers (approx. 5.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cherokee.

Regarding Cherokee High School. The middle school closed in 2007.

Cherokee High School Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 13, 2022

3. Cherokee High School Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 283 times since then and 103 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 15, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.