Oakland near Florence in Lauderdale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
West End High School / "Trojans"
1957-1969
Photographed By Billy Clemmons, September 7, 2023
1. West End High School Marker
Inscription.
West End High School, also, "Trojans".
West End High School 1957-1969. West End High School was located here in the Oakland Community, less than a half-mile east of this location. It was the first high school for African-Americans in western Lauderdale County, and the second in the entire county. It became operational during the 1956-57 school year and included grades 1-10. Prior to that time, senior high school students were transported by bus to Burrell-Slater High School in Florence. It is believed that Galilee M.B. Church was the origin of West End High School. The church was established in the late 1800s in a brush harbor west of this location. Because there were no schools for African-American children, the church provided them with a place to learn. In the early 1900s, the Galilee Church was moved to the Oakland Community. After the church moved, a local citizen furnished a building for a classroom to continue teaching the children. Through the generosity of Julius Rosenwald of New York, funds were made available for the Board of Education to purchase 3.5 acres of land, on which a two-classroom building was constructed. The school had one teacher and a principal. With increasing enrollment, additional land was purchased for expansion. The school was named Oakland School. In 1945, as enrollment increased, the name was changed to Oakland Junior High, with grades 1-9. In 1956, two classrooms and a cafeteria were added to accommodate five neighboring elementary schools., Reverse Side
"Trojans" 1957-1969. In 1957 the name of the school was changed to West End High School and included grades 1-12. The official mascot was the "Trojans". In 1958 two classrooms and a library were added and were ready for Home Economics and Music were also added to the curriculum. The first senior class was in 1959, with 14 graduates. There was a gymnasium built in 1962, with the first basketball game played in 1963. In May of 1961, the Lauderdale County Board of Education announced that, beginning with the 1965-66 school year, all nine African-American schools in Lauderdale County would be consolidated into two schools. Under the consolidation, all African-American students in the eastern part of the county would attend East End High School in Rogersville. Students in the western part of the county would attend West End High School in Oakland. The dividing line between the east and west school districts was the Old Jackson Highway through St. Florian. After the consolidation, West End High Schooi had a total of 14 teachers and 307 students. During its years of existence, there was a total of 211 graduates from the accredited West End High School. In the 1965-66 school year the student body was integrated in accordance with the desegregation court order. The school was officially closed at the end of the 1969 school year. The following year, all students transferred to Central and Waterloo Schools. After the closure, the facilities were sold and used for furniture manufacturing until it was destroyed by fire.
West End High School
1957-1969
West End High School was located here in the Oakland Community, less than a half-mile east of this location.
It was the first high school for African-Americans in western Lauderdale County, and the second in the entire county. It became operational during the 1956-57 school year and included grades 1-10. Prior to that time, senior high school students were transported by bus to Burrell-Slater High School in Florence. It is believed that Galilee M.B. Church was the origin of West End High School. The church was established in the late 1800s in a brush harbor west of this location. Because there were no schools for African-American children, the church provided them with a place to learn. In the early 1900s, the Galilee Church was moved to the Oakland Community. After
the church moved, a local citizen furnished a building for a classroom to continue teaching the children. Through the generosity of Julius Rosenwald of New York, funds were made available for the Board of Education to purchase 3.5 acres of land, on which a two-classroom building was constructed. The school had one teacher and a principal.
With increasing enrollment, additional land was purchased for expansion. The school was named Oakland School.
In 1945, as enrollment increased, the name was changed to Oakland
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Junior High, with grades 1-9. In 1956, two classrooms and a cafeteria were added to accommodate five neighboring elementary schools.
Reverse Side
"Trojans"
1957-1969
In 1957 the name of the school was changed to West End High School and included grades 1-12. The official mascot was the "Trojans". In 1958 two classrooms and a library were added and were ready for Home Economics and Music were also added to the curriculum. The first senior class was in 1959, with 14 graduates. There was a gymnasium built in 1962, with the first basketball game played in 1963. In May of 1961, the Lauderdale County Board of Education announced that, beginning with the 1965-66 school year, all nine African-American schools in Lauderdale County would be consolidated into two schools. Under the consolidation, all African-American students in the eastern part of the county would attend East End High School in Rogersville. Students in the western part of the county would attend West End High School in Oakland.
The dividing line between the east and west school districts was the Old Jackson Highway through St. Florian.
After the consolidation, West End High Schooi had a total of 14 teachers and 307 students. During its years of existence, there was a total of 211 graduates from the accredited West End High School. In the 1965-66 school year the student
Photographed By Billy Clemmons, September 7, 2023
2. Reverse Side - West End High School Marker
body was integrated in accordance with the desegregation court order. The school was officially closed at the end of the 1969 school year. The following year, all students transferred to Central and Waterloo Schools. After the closure, the facilities were sold and used for furniture manufacturing until it was destroyed by fire.
Erected 2023 by West End High Alumni.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.
Location. 34° 51.088′ N, 87° 48.292′ W. Marker is near Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. It is in Oakland. Marker is at the intersection of Simmons Lane (County Route 243) and Waterloo Road (County Route 14), on the right when traveling west on Simmons Lane. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 525 Co Rd 243, Florence AL 35633, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2023, by Billy Clemmons of Florence, Alabama. This page has been viewed 131 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 7, 2023, by Billy Clemmons of Florence, Alabama. • James Hulse 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?
