Pass Christian in Harrison County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

J.W. Randolph School

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 9, 2024

1. J.W. Randolph School Marker

Inscription. Built in 1928, this school for African American students in Pass Christian was funded by public and private money, including the Rosenwald Foundation. First known as the Harrison County Training School, the name was changed to honor a former principal in 1939. In 1969, it became the Pass Christian Middle School and has served as the Boys and Girls Club and Senior Citizen Center since 2000. Designated a Mississippi Landmark in 2006, the school was restored in 2009 after damage from Hurricane Katrina.

Erected 2021 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program, and the Rosenwald Schools series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 30° 19.137′ N, 89° 14.991′ W. Marker is in Pass Christian, Mississippi, in Harrison County. It is on Clarke Avenue north of West Railroad Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 315 Clarke Ave, Pass Christian MS

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39571, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lawrence Guyot (approx. 0.4 miles away); Scenic Drive Historic District (approx. 0.4 miles away); Old Pass Christian High School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Saucier-Bidwell-Pratt House (approx. half a mile away); Blues & Jazz in the Pass (approx. half a mile away); Trinity Episcopal Church Live Oak Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); The Flag of the United States of America (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pass Christian.

Also see . . .
1. Black Schooling in Pass Christian: The Randolph School.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 9, 2024

2. J.W. Randolph School Marker

A history of the school, compiled from Public School minute books. (Dan Ellis, Schools of Pass Christian blog) (Submitted on March 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. J.W. Randolph School (Pass Christian, Mississippi). The J.W. Randolph School was constructed in 1928 as a public school for African-American students in Pass Christian, Mississippi. The building was vacated as a school in 2000. In 2006, the structure was designated a Mississippi Landmark. (WikiReader, uploaded November 20, 2020) (Submitted on March 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

J.W. Randolph School image. Click for full size.

via Mississippi Department of Archives and History (Public Domain)

3. J.W. Randolph School

The school in an undated photograph.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 626 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.