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

Fifth Avenue School

Site of Alabama's First Public School Integration

Photographed by Harry Gatzke, May 27, 2012

1. Fifth Avenue School Marker

Inscription. Opened in 1944, the Fifth Avenue School became the focal point for major educational change on September 9, 1963, when Sonnie Hereford IV became the first African-American student to integrate public schools in Alabama. Following a lengthy court battle, Dr. Sonnie Hereford III enrolled his son in the first grade at the school. Veronica Pearson (Rison School), David (Piggee) Osman (Terry Heights School) and John Anthony Brewton (East Clinton School) enrolled in other Huntsville City Schools later that day. Other Alabama school systems began desegregation in the weeks that followed. The school was razed in 2003.

Sponsored by Huntsville Public School, College and University Foundations & Friends 2004

Erected 2004 by Huntsville Public School, College and University Foundations & Friends.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1848.

Location. 34° 43.165′ N, 86° 34.861′ W. Marker is in Huntsville, Alabama, in Madison County. It is at the intersection of Gallatin Street Southwest and Governors Drive Southwest, on the right when traveling south on Gallatin Street Southwest. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Huntsville AL 35801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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 original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Site of the Huntsville Slave Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Baptist Church Huntsville, Alabama (approx. 0.4 miles away); Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); William Hooper Councill High School Site (approx. half a mile away); Birthplace of General Morgan (approx. half a mile away); Huntsville's First Black Women Voters (approx. half a mile away); Alice Boarman Baldridge (approx. half a mile away); Saint Bartley Primitive Baptist Church (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huntsville.

More about this marker. Governors Drive was formerly called Fifth Avenue from which the school's name was taken.

Foundations and Friends Sponsoring This Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Harry Gatzke, May 27, 2012

2. Foundations and Friends Sponsoring This Marker

Medical Tower Now Located at Site of Fifth Avenue School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Harry Gatzke, May 27, 2012

3. Medical Tower Now Located at Site of Fifth Avenue School

Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2012, by Harry Gatzke of Huntsville, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,490 times since then and 102 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 27, 2012, by Harry Gatzke of Huntsville, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.