Machipongo in Northampton County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Northampton County High School

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 13, 2012

1. Northampton County High School Marker

Inscription. Constructed in 1953 as the county’s first purpose-built African American high school, Northampton County High School reflects the desires of local African Americans to obtain modern educational facilities. It is an example of the statewide efforts by African American and Virginia Indian communities during the early 20th century to secure better education for their children. The building contained classrooms, a library, a gymnasium, and a 500-seat auditorium. Concurrent with integration of Virginia’s public schools, the high school ceased operations with the 1970 class. Until 2008, the facility served as a junior high school and middle school for all Northampton County students.

Erected 2010 by Department of Historic Resources and Northampton County High School Alumni Foundation. (Marker Number WY-72.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.

Location. 37° 24.174′ N, 75° 54.539′ W.

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Marker is in Machipongo, Virginia, in Northampton County. It is on Young Street (County Road 627) 0.2 miles west of Charles M Lankford Jr Memorial Highway (U.S. 13), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Machipongo VA 23405, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

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 original Thirteen Colonies,

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: A different marker also named Relic from Spanish Steamship (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of the Almshouse Farm at Machipongo (approx. ¼ mile away); Edward Franklin and Dorothy "Dot" Wise Gibb (approx.

Northampton County High School Marker, looking west on Young Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 13, 2012

2. Northampton County High School Marker, looking west on Young Street

¼ mile away); Grace and William Eyre (approx. ¼ mile away); The Barrier Islands Center (approx. ¼ mile away); Northampton County Almshouse At Machipongo (approx. ¼ mile away); Wooden Remnant (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named The African American Almshouse (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Machipongo.

Other markers no longer nearby. Relic from Spanish Steamship (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The African American Almshouse (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Northampton County High School... image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 13, 2012

3. Northampton County High School...

After 1970 until 2008, the facility served as a junior high school and middle school for all Northampton County students.

Northampton County High School and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 13, 2012

4. Northampton County High School and Marker

Northampton County High School Marker, looking back east on Young Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 13, 2012

5. Northampton County High School Marker, looking back east on Young Street

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,946 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 14, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.