Lincoln School

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 26, 2025

1. Lincoln School Marker

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Excerpt:  Lincoln School opened in 1926 for black children in the West Plains, Missouri community. It served first through eighth graders under one roof, with one teacher instructing all the students. Any given

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 26, 2025

2. Lincoln School Marker

Looking northeast from East Pony Thomas; the restored schoolhouse is in the left background.

year, there could be between fifteen and twenty-two children attending the one-room Lincoln School.
On May 17, 1954, the Brown vs. Board of Education ruling ended segregation in education systems, and in West Plains, Missouri, school leaders unanimously voted to desegregate the local schools. They quickly transferred Lincoln School students to Foster Elementary School and West Plains High School.
Although it was no longer needed for segregated education, Lincoln School remained open and served its community. In the 1950s and '60s, the Veterans of Foreign Wars in the United States used it to provide vital assistance to veterans. In the late ‘60s through the ‘80s, Lincoln School was the home of the city’s Parks and Recreation 4H summer program for local children of all races. Beginning in the 90s, Alcoholics Anonymous used Lincoln School to host its meetings for active recovery group sessions as local residents sought to better themselves through the AA program. Lincoln School remained owned by the City of West Plains until July 2023, when Crockett Oaks III and his wife Tonya Oaks purchased it to restore and reopen it for new and beautiful

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 26, 2025

3. National Register of Historic Places Marker

(mounted on the south/front door)This property has been placed on the
National Register of Historic Places
by the United States Department of the Interior

purposes.

Excerpt:  Nationally, there is a movement to save and preserve African American historic spaces - Lincoln School is one of those spaces! The story of Lincoln School is important to the entire community that it sits in, so today we use Lincoln School to share community across cultures and will continue telling its history. The Lincoln School Project was recently featured in an episode of OzarksWatch Video. This segment highlights the history and ongoing efforts to preserve the legacy of Lincoln School, including our recent projects and community impact. The video provides an in-depth look at the stories of those who lived, taught, and learned in this historic space, as well as our mission to honor their contributions through restoration and educational programs.

(by Dr. Jason McCollom, Ph.D. Information derived from

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 26, 2025

4. Lincoln School (south/front elevation)

Gary R. Kremer and Brett Rogers, Missouri Historical Property Inventory Form for Lincoln School, West Plains, MO (2001))  Excerpt:  The West Plains African American community developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries around Washington Avenue. This was located on the north side of town and referred to as “Illinois Town.” Lincoln School was the only African American educational facility in Howell County, and it offered instruction through the 8th grade.
First built in 1890, Lincoln School was rebuilt around 1920, and it is this structure that continues to stand. At its height in the 1920s and 1930s, two teachers administered schooling. Margaret Givehand, Mrs. Darcy Penn, and Bettye Wilson were the prominent instructors around this time. A typical school day at Lincoln began with a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by the flagpole, followed by “singing the Negro national anthem.” Lincoln School also served as an important community meeting spot for African Americans in West Plains. Kids enjoyed the playground and baseball field, and families held a variety of celebratory and holiday functions at the site.
Today,

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 26, 2025

5. Lincoln School (east elevation)

the Lincoln School building is part of Lincoln Park. It remains a meeting place for a variety of West Plains groups.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 26, 2025

6. Lincoln School (southwest elevation)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 26, 2025

7. “I, too, am America” statue

(in Lincoln Park, on the east side of the schoolhouse)This statue embodies resilience, patriotism, and the enduring spirit of Lincoln School’s students and teachers. Its title, drawn from Langston Hughes’ poem “I, Too,” reflects their unwavering hope and determination. Despite the challenges of segregation, they embraced the Pledge of Allegiance, fostering pride, unity, and a sense of belonging — a testament to the community’s strength and enduring values.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 26, 2025

8. “Feel the Love” statue

(in Lincoln Park, on the east side of the schoolhouse)This statue represents the innocence of childhood and the enduring power of love. Its timeless gesture welcomes all who visit Reflection Plaza, serving as a tribute to the legacy of Lincoln School.
”The past in our hearts, the present in our minds, and the future in our hands”