Parkin in Cross County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

The Northern Ohio School

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 22, 2023

1. The Northern Ohio School Marker

Inscription. Around 1900, there were about 16 one-room schoolhouses in and around Parkin. Most were on plantations for the education of the sharecroppers' and farm workers' children. The Northern Ohio School, built around 1910, was no different. The school operated for 38 years, serving children of the Coldren plantation and the Northern Ohio Cooperage and Lumber Company.

This school educated students through two World Wars, the Great Depression, the Flood of 1927, and segregation. Because this was an African-American school, 8th grade was the highest that could be attained in Parkin. The students studied hard, earned high marks, and some moved away to further their education at one of the African-American high. schools the state offered.

In 1948, this school was consolidated into Central Elementary School in Parkin.

[Captions]
(Top) The Northern Ohio School, ca. 1920.
(Bottom) African-American schools could be found throughout the United States during the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. They had both their similarities and differences, but teaching was always the ultimate goal. These two photos courtesy Library of Congress

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location.

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35° 16.788′ N, 90° 33.475′ W. Marker is in Parkin, Arkansas, in Cross County. Marker can be reached from State Highway 184, 0.6 miles north of U.S. 64, on the left when traveling north. Marker is at Northern Ohio School in Parkin Archeological State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 60 Hwy 184, Parkin AR 72373, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Struggle for Education (here, next to this marker); Student Life (here, next to this marker); River, Rail, and Timber Bring Sawmills to Parkin (here, next to this marker); Timber Shaped the Delta (here, next to this marker); The Sawdust Hill Community is Born (here, next to this marker); A Hidden School Discovered (here, next to this marker); Conducting the Research (here, next to this marker); Class Is In Session (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Parkin.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Northern Ohio School. The Northern Ohio School, a one-room schoolhouse for rural African-American students, is the only remaining one-room African-American schoolhouse in Parkin. (Zachary Elledge, Encyclopedia of Arkansas) (Submitted on April 27, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Northern Ohio School (PDF). National

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 22, 2023

2. The Northern Ohio School Marker

Featured marker is on the left.

Register of Historic Places nomination for the school building, which was listed in 2014. (National Park Service) (Submitted on April 27, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

The Northern Ohio School image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 22, 2023

3. The Northern Ohio School

The Northern Ohio School interior image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 22, 2023

4. The Northern Ohio School interior

Credits. This page was last revised on April 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 61 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 27, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.