Highland Home in Crenshaw County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Site of Highland Home College
Photographed by Mbowyer, July 15, 2006
1. Site of Highland Home College Marker
A pioneer institution organized in 1889 by Justus M. Barnes, Samuel Jordan and Milton L. Kirkpatrick. This was an extension of Strata Academy, founded in 1856 by Barnes six miles north in Strata. In 1881 Strata Academy was moved to Highland Home and the name changed to Highland Home Institute.
From its inception, the school was coeducational. It brought culture to pioneer Alabamamusic, foreign languages, science, literature and drama as well as The Three Rs. Although never a religious institution, Bible courses were offered. Its graduates provided the state many distinguished citizens.
When the economics of competing with the state normal schools forced it to close its doors forever in 1915, it had served Alabama continuously for 59 years. The trustees deeded this property to the State of Alabama in 1916 for educational use.
Erected 1977 by the Barnes, Jordan, Kirkpatrick Memorial Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 31° 57.136′ N, 86° 18.822′ W. Marker is in Highland Home, Alabama, in Crenshaw County. It is on Montgomery Highway (U.S. 331) south of New Bethel Church Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Black Belt. 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 New Spain, 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 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fair Prospect Cemetery Montgomery County (approx. 4.2 miles away); Pioneer Settlers of Ebenezer Community (approx. 6.4 miles away); Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Church (approx. 6.4 miles away); Lynching in America / Lynching in Letohatchee (approx. 8.8 miles away); Town of Petrey (approx. 9½ miles away); Oak Bowery (approx. 10.9 miles away); Pisgah Primitive Baptist Church (approx. 11.9 miles away); Tankersley Rosenwald School (approx. 13.4 miles away).
Photographed by Mbowyer
2. Highland Home is currently being used as a public K-12 school.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2006, by M. Bowyer of Indianapolis, Indiana. This page has been viewed 4,575 times since then and 89 times this year. Last updated on March 2, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 29, 2006, by M. Bowyer of Indianapolis, Indiana. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
