Columbus in Lowndes County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
R.E. Hunt High School
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 21, 2026
1. R.E. Hunt High School Marker
Built in 1953 as part of Mississippi's school equalization program to maintain segregation of African American students, the school was named in honor of longtime Union Academy principal Robert Edward Hunt. He served as the school's first principal until his retirement in 1963. The high school remained an educational and cultural hub for the Black community until city schools in Columbus integrated in 1970. It became an intermediate school and eventually closed in 2011. In 2012, it reopened as a museum and cultural center.
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 1953.
Location. 33° 30.386′ N, 88° 24.668′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Mississippi, in Lowndes County. It is on 20th Street North north of North 9th Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 924 20th St N, Columbus MS 39701,
this page online
Regionally, 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: R. E. Hunt High School (a few steps from this marker); Queen City Hotel and 7th Avenue (approx. 0.4 miles away); Baldwin Locomotive No. 601 (approx. half a mile away); Military Road (approx. half a mile away); Missionary Union Baptist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Lee High School (approx. 0.7 miles away); Kenneth Gatchell House (approx. 0.8 miles away); Adam Tonquin Stovall (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Queen City Hotel (was approx.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 21, 2026
2. R.E. Hunt High School Marker
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 21, 2026
3. Former R.E. Hunt High School, now the RE Hunt Museum & Cultural Center.
Photographed by Mark Hilton
4. R.E. Hunt High School Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 23, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
