Huntsville in Madison County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Oakwood College

Founded 1896

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, August 26, 2010

1. Oakwood College Marker

Inscription. Oakwood College, which began as an industrial school, was founded by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1896 to educate African Americans in the South. The school was erected on 380 acres purchased during the previous year for $6,700. Additional property secured in 1918 nearly tripled its land holdings. The school underwent several name changes over its history:

1896: Oakwood Industrial School
1904: Oakwood Manual Training School
1917: Oakwood Junior College
1943: Oakwood College

In 1958, Oakwood was granted full accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Oakwood prepares students from across America and many nations to serve the world in a variety of positions and careers, reflecting its motto, "Today's College for Tomorrow's Leaders."

On this site, too, stood the Peter Blow Plantation which counted Dred Scott among its slaves in 1819. In 1857, Scott captured national attention by virtue of his appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court for his freedom in Missouri after sojourning in the free state of Illinois.

Erected 1996 by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education.

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In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association, and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 34° 45.212′ N, 86° 39.577′ W. Marker is in Huntsville, Alabama, in Madison County. Marker is at the intersection of Adventist Blvd NW and Millennium Drive NW, on the right when traveling north on Adventist Blvd NW. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Huntsville AL 35806, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Slave Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Oakwood College (approx. 0.7 miles away); Superconductivity Discovery (approx. 2 miles away); Ms. Baker: Monkeynaut (approx. 2.9 miles away); U.S. Army PGM-19 Jupiter (approx. 2.9 miles away); Grissom • White • Chaffee (approx. 2.9 miles away); Schirra • Eisele • Cunningham / Borman • Lovell • Anders (approx. 2.9 miles away); McDivitt • Scott • Schweickart / Stafford • Young • Cernan (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huntsville.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, August 26, 2010

2. Oakwood College Marker

Looking North along Adventist Blvd. The entrance to the school is to the right.

Oakwood University image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, August 26, 2010

3. Oakwood University

Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,557 times since then and 105 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 27, 2010, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.