Eufaula in Barbour County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Van Buren School
Photographed by James L.Whitman, January 8, 2026
1. Van Buren School Marker
The origins of Van Buren School date to about 1890, only one year after the first public school for whites was built. The first principal was Norman Martin. He was followed by S. M. Murphy, Sr., who was a man that never expected something for nothing. W. D. Floyd was the next principal coming from Hawkinsville. He fitted the needs at that time.
Elmira Turner Chatman, the first graduate, later served as principal from 1921 - 1928. For her merit, the Eufala School Board of Education gave her a scholarship to Tuskegee Institute, from which she graduated in 1898. At the beginning of her tenure, the school was a four-room building heated by stoves with no electricity. In 1928 a one-story brick veneer school building was completed at a cost of $16,000. She gave thirty-five years of service to this school.
C. M. Mitchell followed from 1928 - 1936. He was a progressive educator and a very good disciplinarian.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
Location. 31° 53.237′ N, 85° 8.221′ W. Marker is in Eufaula, Alabama, in Barbour County. It is at the intersection of South TV McCoo Boulevard and East Hunter Street, in the median on South TV McCoo Boulevard. Touch for map
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in the Black Belt, and in the Wiregrass. 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: Historic St. Luke A.M.E. Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Governors Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Confederate Hospital (approx. 0.4 miles away); William Thomas "Tom" Mann / Eufaula, Alabama (approx. 0.4 miles away); Central Railroad of Georgia Freight Depot (approx. 0.4 miles away); Eufaula (approx. half a mile away); The City of Eufaula (approx. half a mile away); The Second Creek War in the Eufaula Area (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Eufaula.
Photographed by James L.Whitman, January 8, 2026
2. Van Buren School Marker
Photographed by James L.Whitman, January 8, 2026
3. Van Buren School Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2026, by James L.Whitman of Eufaula, Alabama. This page has been viewed 37 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 26, 2026, by James L.Whitman of Eufaula, Alabama. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
