Columbus in Lowndes County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Union Academy

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 21, 2026

1. Union Academy Marker

Inscription.
Established in 1865 by the Freedmen's Bureau on the site of a former Confederate arsenal, Union Academy was the first public school for African Americans in Columbus. The original northern educators from the American Missionary Association were driven out by threats of violence after Reconstruction. William Isaac Mitchell served as the school's first Black principal from 1878 to 1916. In 1903, the school relocated to Northside. It was replaced in 1962 with a building that served as an elementary school until 2008.

Erected 2025 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 33° 29.233′ N, 88° 25.445′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Mississippi, in Lowndes County. It is on South 9th Avenue west of 8th Street South, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbus MS 39701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in East Mississippi, in the Black Prairie,

and in the Golden Triangle.

It is also 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 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: C.S.A. Arsenal (a few steps from this marker); Demonstration School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Church of the Annunciation (approx. half a mile away); Confederate Decoration Day (approx. half a mile away); Errolton (approx. half a mile away); Columbus Mississippi Blues (approx. half a mile away); St. Paul's Episcopal Church (approx. half a mile away); Mississippi State College for Women (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Marker next to this one and notes location

Union Academy marker next to CSA Arsenal marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 21, 2026

2. Union Academy marker next to CSA Arsenal marker.

of the CSA Aresenal.

Also see . . . Columbus dedicates markers honoring black excellence and education. (Submitted on October 23, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 23, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.