Jacksonville in Calhoun County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Honoring the Trailblazers

September 7, 1965

— Freedom of Choice in Education 1965 —

Honoring the Trailblazers Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Quinton Reid Kirk, February 25, 2025

1. Honoring the Trailblazers Marker

Inscription. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 opened the doors of educational opportunities for these students to pursue a different path to academic freedom. They walked miles to school, endured winter weather and other dangers that marked the unending ties of injustice and hardship following the aftermath of the Civil Rights movement. Their steadfast resilience broke barriers and left a legacy of diversity and inclusion that has enriched the lives of countless others to walk in the footsteps of the trailblazers of 1965.

The first African American students to integrate Jacksonville Elementary Laboratory School.

Brenda Joyce Baker • Cynthia Baker • Pamela Denise Baker • Anthony ODell Cannon • Carol Lisa Jackson • Judia Mae Parker • Raymond Parker

The first African American students to integrate Jacksonville Laboratory High School

Dora Dunn • Dorothy Nix • Caroline Watley • Stephen Walker Sr. • Jennifer Rebecca Williams • Jonathan Williams • Tony Williams

This was the former post office where the two groups met to seek shelter from the weather.

Erected by State of Alabama.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. A significant historical date for this entry is September 7, 1965.

Location.

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33° 48.913′ N, 85° 45.697′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville, Alabama, in Calhoun County. It is at the intersection of Pelham Road North and College St SW on Pelham Road North. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Pelham Rd N, Jacksonville AL 36265, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Alabama. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

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 the original Cherokee Nation,

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: The First National Bank of Jacksonville (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); William Henry Forney (about 500 feet away); John Horace Forney (about 500 feet away); Doctor Francis' Office (about 500 feet away); Confederate Hospital (about 500 feet away); Forney’s Corner (about 500 feet away); Downtown Jacksonville Historic District (about 500 feet away); 10th Alabama Volunteers (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2025, by Quinton Reid Kirk of Piedmont, Alabama. This page has been viewed 250 times since then and 26 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on February 26, 2025, by Quinton Reid Kirk of Piedmont, 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?