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
Opened in 1953, R.E. Hunt High School became a beacon of hope, excellence, and pride for black students and families across Columbus and Lowndes County. Built to replace Union Academy (the historic Freedmen's Bureau school) as the high school, Hunt served students in grades 7 through 12 from communities such as Crawford, Artesia and rural Lowndes County. The school was named for Dr. Robert E. Hunt, longtime principal of Union Academy and Hunt's first principal. Hunt offered state-of- the-art facilities and a strong academic and vocational curriculum during the era of segregation. From its first graduating class in 1954 to its final one in 1970, Hunt High School stood as a symbol of achievement, leadership, and community resilience. Its legacy continues today through the R.E. Hunt Museum and Cultural Center.
Dr. Stanley K. Ellis - Superintendent
Columbus Municipal Schools Board of Trustees
Robert E. Smith, Sr. - President Telisa Clay Young - Vice President
Dr. Josie S. Shumake - Secretary Dr. Cynthia Stewart Brown - Trustee
James A. Richardson, Sr. - Trustee
A Legacy of Black Excellence
this page online
R.E. Hunt High School carried forward the legacy of Union Academy, which began educating black students in Columbus in 1865 under the Freedmen's Bureau and the American Missionary Association. By the early 1950s, Union Academy had become overcrowded, serving over 1,000 students. In response, Hunt was constructed as a "separate but equal" facility.
Hunt opened with 713 students and 24 teachers. It offered central heating, indoor plumbing, a gymnasium, cafeteria, and specialized classrooms. Students arrived from across the county after completing grade 8 at local feeder schools. Hunt's band, choir, and drama productions gained regional acclaim, and its athletic teams inspired pride. The curriculum prepared students for college, careers, and leadership roles through instruction in science, industrial arts, home economics, business, and the arts.
In 1970, after the end of legally segregated schooling, Hunt graduated its final senior class. The building served as a middle and intermediate school until closing in 2010. In 2012, the R.E. Hunt Museum and Cultural Center opened to preserve this history. Though damaged
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 21, 2026
2. R. E. Hunt High School Marker (reverse)
The legacy of R.E. Hunt High School continues to shape education in Columbus. Its graduates have become teachers, principals, judges, civic leaders, and role models. The school's enduring values excellence, discipline, and determination- remain foundational to the educational journey of the city.
Erected 2025.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical month for this entry is July 2025.
Location. 33° 30.379′ N, 88° 24.665′ 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, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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
Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 21, 2026
3. R. E. Hunt High School Marker
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. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 28, 2026, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
