Opelika in Lee County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Former Site of J. W. Darden High School

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 4, 2025

1. Former Site of J. W. Darden High School Marker

Inscription.
In honor of Dr. J. W. Darden
“A dedicated humanitarian, a builder of men, a physician, a Christian and a socially conscious citizen.”

This marker honors Dr. Darden, his wife, Mrs. Jean Darden, the many teachers who gave so much of themselves to enhance the lives of the Black youth of Opelika, and the many students who were given the torch of wisdom that has brightened the lives of others.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Science & Medicine.

Location. 32° 38.818′ N, 85° 22.192′ W. Marker is in Opelika, Alabama, in Lee County. It is at the intersection of South 4th Street and Avenue E, on the right when traveling north on South 4th Street. The marker is located near the sidewalk at the northeast corner of the former J. W. Darden High School grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 South 4th Street, Opelika AL 36801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Alabama and in Greater Columbus.

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 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: J.W. Darden High School (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thompson Chapel (approx. ¼ mile away); Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lee County Confederate Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles

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away); Barbara H. Patton (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Barbara H. Patton Southside Center for the Arts (approx. 0.4 miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); George W. Andrews Federal Building and United States Courthouse (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Opelika.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. J.W. Darden High School (Omeka at Auburn).

Excerpt: Founded in 1951, J.W. Darden High School took on the ninth and tenth grade students of East Street High School and added eleventh and twelfth grade curricula. Darden was Opelika’s African-American high school until the city’s high schools integrated in 1972. The school board chose to name the black high school after J.W. Darden, Lee County’s first African-American doctor. From its inception, Darden High served as a focal point of local African-American community life in Opelika.
Upon the opening of Opelika’s integrated high school, the school board decided to close Darden despite its relative newness in comparison to the rest of the city’s
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 4, 2025

2. Former Site of J. W. Darden High School Marker
Looking east from South 4th Street. There is a shrub and a parking lot behind the marker.
school buildings. students.

(Submitted on October 12, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. First Black Doctor in Opelika, Alabama (Wikipedia).

(By Keyanna James, 2/22/2018) Excerpt: Dr. John W. Darden practiced medicine in Opelika for nearly 50 years. After his death in 1949, the community built J.W. Darden High School in 1951 and nearly 70 years later Dr. Darden’s name is still being used for good.
George Allen is President of the J.W. Darden Foundation and a graduate of Darden High School class of 1966. “You can’t Imagine the comradery that all the classes have because it only lasted for like 20 years,” says Allen. Darden High School closed spring of 1970. “In 1996 we organized a grand reunion where all the classes could come together and just have a big affair,” says Phillips. After the first grand reunion, the J.W. Darden Alumni Association was formed.

(Submitted on October 12, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 4, 2025

3. Former Site of J. W. Darden High School Marker

Looking southeast from Avenue E. The former J. W. Darden High School site is in the background.

Former J. W. Darden High School Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, October 4, 2025

4. Former J. W. Darden High School Site

Looking southeast from near the marker. Today this building houses the Darden Head Start program.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 101 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 11, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.