Prestwick in Washington County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Prestwick Post Office / Prestwick High School
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 13, 2024
1. Prestwick Post Office Marker
Inscription.
Prestwick Post Office, also, Prestwick High School. .
Prestwick Post Office. The Prestwick Post Office was established on February 24, 1904, with Alice Speadham as postmaster. It was discontinued temporarily on October 31, 1923. After it was reestablished in March 1927, Walter B. Taylor held the position of postmaster there for thirty-four years, until June 6, 1961. Taylor was said to be Washington County's longest-serving African American postmaster. The Prestwick Post Office was permanently discontinued on September 1, 1972. Its original location was approximately 800 yards southeast of this site, alongside People's Park, at the intersection of J. Richardson Road and Prestwick Road. ,
Prestwick High School. In 1922, Prof. Herbert Lawrence and wife, Huberta, along with Prof. Walter B. Taylor Jr., Sweet Pugh, Amy Coleman, and Prof. D.W. Tillman founded a one-room schoolhouse approx. 350 yards southeast of this site. The state purchased the land from Mr. and Mrs. D.D. Powell Jr. In 1944, the Walker brothers of St. Stephens constructed additions, creating what came to be known as Prestwick High School. It served African American students from surrounding communities for nearly fifty years. Walter B. Taylor Jr. was principal for forty-two years. Prestwick High School closed in 1969. Students were transferred to newly integrated Leroy High School.
Prestwick Post Office
The Prestwick Post Office was established on
February 24, 1904, with Alice Speadham as
postmaster. It was discontinued temporarily on
October 31, 1923. After it was reestablished in
March 1927, Walter B. Taylor held the position of
postmaster there for thirty-four years, until
June 6, 1961. Taylor was said to be Washington
County's longest-serving African American postmaster.
The Prestwick Post Office was permanently
discontinued on September 1, 1972. Its original
location was approximately 800 yards southeast of
this site, alongside People's Park, at the intersection
of J. Richardson Road and Prestwick Road.
Prestwick High School
In 1922, Prof. Herbert Lawrence and wife, Huberta,
along with Prof. Walter B. Taylor Jr., Sweet Pugh,
Amy Coleman, and Prof. D.W. Tillman founded a
one-room schoolhouse approx. 350 yards southeast
of this site. The state purchased the land from
Mr. & Mrs. D.D. Powell Jr. In 1944, the Walker
brothers of St. Stephens constructed additions,
creating what came to be known as Prestwick High
School. It served African American students from
surrounding communities for nearly fifty years.
Walter B. Taylor Jr. was principal for forty-two years.
Prestwick High School closed in 1969. Students were
transferred
Location. 31° 27.399′ N, 87° 58.419′ W. Marker is in Prestwick, Alabama, in Washington County. Marker is on Prestwick Road, half a mile west of Johnson Road, on the right when traveling west. Located within Prestwick Preservation Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3023 Prestwick Rd, Leroy AL 36548, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. Marker (on right) within Prestwick Preservation Park.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 64 times since then. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on April 14, 2024, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
