Milan in Gibson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Gibson County Training School / Polk - Clark School

1926 - 1970

Photographed By Ken Smith, January 21, 2012

1. Gibson County Training School / Polk - Clark School Marker

Front Side.

Inscription. Organized in 1926, the Industrial Training School for Negroes was the only training school for Blacks in Gibson County. Later named Gibson County Training School, it was the county's first four-year high school for Blacks. Students came from the towns of Kenton, Rutherford, Dyer, Trenton, Fruitland, Humboldt, Gibson and Milan. Principals were F. M. Dicky, T. R. Hartsfield, G. W. Anderson and W. J. Burnett. The school's first faculty consisted of Principal F. M. Dickey and teachers Flossie Dicky, Rubye Springer and Sleetie Clark. In 1961, to honor Dr. S. W. Polk and Mrs. Clark, the school's name was changed from GCTS to Polk~Clark High School.

(Back):
Between the years of 1926 and 1970, approximately 1,400 students were graduated from the school. The school's motto was, "Enter to Learn -- Go Forth to Serve". The school's colors were navy blue and white and its alma mater was, "Milan, Milan, We're Loyal To You". Because of desegregation, in 1970, after the graduation of the last 12th-grade class, the school's name was changed to Polk - Clark School for grades K through 3. In 1994, Polk - Clark was replaced by a new elementary school serving students from grades K through 5.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4B 36.)

Topics and series. This historical

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marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.

Location. 35° 54.893′ N, 88° 46.053′ W. Marker is in Milan, Tennessee, in Gibson County. Marker is at the intersection of Harris Street and West Jackson Street, on the left when traveling north on Harris Street. West Jackson Street meet South Harris Street at the school entrance Drive. Marker is on you left as you enter the school drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1041 S Harris Street, Milan TN 38358, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Gibson County Training School (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); U.S. Post Office (approx. 0.6 miles away); Carroll County / Gibson County (approx. 5 miles away); Gibson County (approx. 5 miles away); Gordon Browning (approx. 5.3 miles away); Mount Zion (approx. 7.2 miles away); Medina Veterans Memorial (approx. 7.7 miles away); Humboldt Confederate Monument (approx. 10.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milan.

Photographed By Ken Smith, January 21, 2012

2. Gibson County Training School / Polk - Clark School Marker

Back side of marker.

Gibson County Training School / Polk - Clark School image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ken Smith, January 21, 2012

3. Gibson County Training School / Polk - Clark School

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 980 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on March 15, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 22, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.