Stuttgart in Arkansas County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Holman School
Named for educator Leroy Davis Holman, North Carolina-born educator who began teaching Stuttgart’s African American children in 1907. The school, first located at Porter and Lincoln Streets, was rebuilt in 1924 with Rosenwald Foundation funding. Dr. John B. Bryant was instrumental in securing financial support. Early teachers were L. D. Holman, B. J. Greer, M. H. Hinton, W. M. Whitfield, J. B. Lucas, and B. J. Williams. The school was moved to this location, rebuilt, and renamed for Prof. Holman in 1932. The faculty then included Holman, W. R. Jones, Ms. L. E. Walstein and Ms. E. E. Stillwell. High school grades were added in 1938. The first class graduated in 1942, and included Audrey Skinner, Ellen Age, Robert Scroggins, Albert Thompkins, Jesse Lamb, Savanna Carter Wright and Willie Mae Jackson. A masonry building was erected in the 1940s, and the present structure was added in the 1950s. After the 1945 passing of Prof. Holman, Albert S. Baxter served as principal, with George A. Meekins leading the school 1958–1970. The last Holman class graduated in 1970, after which Stuttgart’s schools were fully integrated. In 1996, the Holman Community Development Corporation began preserving the building as a cultural and historical landmark. Today it serves as Holman Heritage Community Center.
Erected 2022 by Grand Prairie Historical Society and the Black History Commission of Arkansas.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Rosenwald Schools series list.
Location. 34° 30.427′ N, 91° 33.475′ W. Marker is in Stuttgart, Arkansas, in Arkansas County. Marker is on Buerkle Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 605 N Buerkle St, Stuttgart AR 72160, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Britsch Grocery (approx. half a mile away); Rev. Adam Buerkle (approx. 0.6 miles away); Stuttgart's First Public School (approx. 0.6 miles away); Camp Mitchell (approx. 0.7 miles away); Stuttgart Centennial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Love Rest Green Grove Cemetery (approx. 0.9 miles away).
Additional keywords. Holman Heritage Community Center
Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2022, by Glenn Mosenthin of Searcy, Arkansas. This page has been viewed 223 times since then and 144 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on July 5, 2022, by Glenn Mosenthin of Searcy, Arkansas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and the surrounding area together in context. • Can you help?