Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Bonny Oaks School
Photographed by R. E. Smith, December 27, 2007
1. Bonny Oaks School Marker
Founded 1896
Authorized by Act of the General Assembly, 1895. The first Board of Trustees met March 7th 1896. Present were the Reverend J.W. Bachman, President: Major Charles D. McGuffy, Secretary: J.S. Bell, Treasurer; Judge Seth M. Walker; and Squire L.W. Bates.
On January 4th, 1898 the Col. Jarrett G. Dent plantation, later known as “Bonnie Oaks Farm at Jersey,” was purchased. J.C. Kalleen was engaged as first superintendent. The first student was admitted February 22, 1898 “at the request of his mother, his father being dead.”
The Negro Department was opened April 28th, 1898.
July 31, 1899 a deed to the adjoining Trimble farm was presented to the School by Z. C. Patten, Sr. for a Girls Department.
Erected by Bonny Oaks School.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1779.
Location. 35° 4.427′ N, 85° 10.957′ W. Marker is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. It is on Bonny Oaks Drive (Tennessee Route
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Bonny Oaks (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Booker T. Washington School (approx. 0.9 miles away); Tennessee Valley Railroad And Museum (approx. 1.4 miles away); Crucial Supply Lines (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Tuskegee Institute (approx. 2½ miles away); Cast Down Your Buckets (approx. 2.6 miles away); Booker Taliaferro Washington (approx. 2.6 miles away); The Civilian Conservation Corps and Booker T. Washington State Park (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chattanooga.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Cleburne's Fort (was approx. 1½ miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . . Official, non-profit website created for the boys and girls of the former Bonny Oaks School. (Submitted on January 7, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
Photographed by R. E. Smith, December 27, 2007
2. Bonny Oaks School Marker
Photographed by R. E. Smith, December 27, 2007
3. Bonny Oaks School Marker
Photographed by Prof Photographer for set of postcards, circa 1960's
4. Dent Plantation Home
The Dent Plantation Home was the focal point of Bonny Oaks School. It housed the children's home Superintendent's throughout the school's 90 year history.
circa 1960's
5. Bonny Oaks Elementary School
The school had 3 classrooms (two grades per room and teacher), a music room with a piano and the boys/girls restrooms. Later became a gymnasium when all students were sent to public schools.
Photographed by Prof Photographer for set of postcards, circa 1960's
6. Bonny Oaks Office Building
The office building was originally used as the white boys building. In the 1950's, until closing, the downstairs rooms were used as the Superintendent's office, secretary's office, the Librarian's living area, and it had a complete library for the children to study and do homework. The upstairs rooms were occasionally occupied by substitute houseparents and the cooks living area.
Photographed by Prof Photographer for set of postcards, circa 1960's
7. Bonny Oaks Clinic
The clinic was fully equipped to handle minor emergencies, beds for 4 to 6 sick children, the dentist room, an examining/shots room, a 24-hour nurse on duty, nurse bedroom and two bathrooms. The Clinic stood to the left of the Superintendent's home.
1930's
8. Bonny Oaks Chapel
The Bonny Oaks Chapel was the dream of the Superintendent's wife, Mrs. William (Lucy Beall) Keese, who was also called the "Mother of Bonny Oaks". Through her dream and other's generous donations, the chapel was erected for her Bonny Oaks children in 1926.
These are only a few of the Bonny Oaks buildings of which only three are left standing today. The 324 acres have been transformed into a business park. If you would like to see and learn more, please visit the children's home website, www.bonnyoaks.org
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2008, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 6,480 times since then and 156 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week February 17, 2008. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 2, 2008, by R. E. Smith of Nashville, Tennessee. 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 4, 2008, by Christine Haven of Houston, Texas. 7, 8. submitted on February 5, 2008, by Christine Haven of Houston, Texas. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
