Demopolis in Marengo County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

U.S. Jones High School

Centennial Celebration 1920-2020

— Marengo County —

U.S. Jones High School Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 24, 2025

1. U.S. Jones High School Marker

Inscription.
Ulysses Simpson Jones was born in Tuscaloosa in 1872. He attended the high school division of Talladega College from 1886 to 1890. Realizing that schools were established for the perpetuation of ideas and ideals of society, he decided to build a school for African American children in Demopolis. Despite opposition, he erected a building here and founded the “City Public School for Negroes of Demopolis, Alabama,” in 1920, later renamed U.S. Jones High School in 1925. Jones left Demopolis in 1925 to become the “Director of Negro Education” in Montgomery County. After an illness, he returned to Demopolis where he died on April 19, 1930. After Mr. Jones left Demopolis, four principals served at the U.S. Jones High School: Professor R.B. Hobson, 1925-1928; Professor Terry M. Patton, 1929-1938; Professor Albert J. Rowser, 1939-1965; and Mr. Braxton R. Jowers, 1965-1970. The school was a leading high school in the state, and was accredited as an “A” rated school in 1945 and each year thereafter. The Ulysses Simpson Jones School National Alumni Association supported this marker, in partnership with the Demopolis City Council.

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The Historic Class of 1970, which was the last graduating class, spearheaded this initiative.

Erected 2021 by the City of Demopolis.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is April 19, 1930.

Location. 32° 30.744′ N, 87° 49.763′ W. Marker is in Demopolis, Alabama, in Marengo County. It is at the intersection of East Jackson Street and Wolf Circle, on the left when traveling east on East Jackson Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 715 E Jackson St, Demopolis AL 36732, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

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 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: Demopolis Methodist Church

U.S. Jones High School Marker at the now U.S. Jones Elementary School. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 24, 2025

2. U.S. Jones High School Marker at the now U.S. Jones Elementary School.

(approx. 0.4 miles away); "Maison Marengo" (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gaineswood (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Demopolis Theater District (approx. half a mile away); St. Leo’s Catholic Church (approx. half a mile away); Downtown Demopolis / Demopolis (approx. 0.6 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Whitfield Canal (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Demopolis.

Nearby plaque about Albert Rowser, one of the 4 principals of the high school. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 24, 2025

3. Nearby plaque about Albert Rowser, one of the 4 principals of the high school.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2025, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 181 times since then and 106 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 24, 2025, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.