Mount Vernon Square in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Dunbar High School
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Photographed by Ray Gurganus, June 20, 2026
1. Dunbar High School Marker
The Preparatory School for Colored Youth opened in 1870 as the city's-and the nation's-first Black public high school. It moved several times, and changed names twice (Colored High School, then M Street School), until landing its first purpose-built building at 1st and N Streets NW in 1916. The school is then named for the poet Paul Laurence Dunbar.
Erected 2026 by DC History Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.
Location. 38° 54.147′ N, 77° 1.101′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Mount Vernon Square. It is on K Street Northwest east of 5th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 476 K St NW, Washington DC 20001, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Howard University Law School Graduates (here, next to this marker); Minor Normal School (a few steps from this marker); National Training School for Women and Girls (a few steps from this marker); Dunbar High School Basketball (within shouting distance of this marker); Anacostia High School (within shouting distance of this marker); Birney School May Day (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Dunbar High School (within shouting distance of this marker); Armstrong Technical High School (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on June 20, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
