Johnson City in Washington County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Langston High School

1893-1965

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 18, 2011

1. Langston High School Marker

Inscription. This building housed Johnson City’s first African-American public high school. Named for U.S. Congressman John Mercer Langston, an educator, lawyer, and the first African-American elected to public office in the United States (Ohio, 1856). Langston High School was established in 1893. “Enter to Learn. Depart to Serve” was the school’s motto. In the spring of 1897, Langston graduated its first class. Due to court-ordered racial desegregation, its last class graduated in the spring of 1963. By the fall semester of the same year, Johnson City Schools were completely integrated.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1A 110.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.

Location. 36° 19.393′ N, 82° 21.159′ W. Marker is in Johnson City, Tennessee, in Washington County. It can be reached from the intersection of East Myrtle Avenue and Elm Street. The marker stands at the entrance to the Johnson City Schools' Maintenance Department facility. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 224 East Myrtle Avenue, Johnson City TN 37601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee

and in the Tri-Cities Area.

It is also 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,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Science Hill (approx. 0.3 miles away); Samuel Cole Williams (approx. 0.4 miles away); John Sevier Hotel (approx. 0.4 miles away); Eliza Shaut White (approx. 0.4 miles away); Johnson City Sessions (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Johnson City Sessions (approx. 0.4 miles away); Main Street (approx. half a mile away); Rich-R-Tone Records (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Johnson City.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study the marker shown.

Wide view of the Langston High School Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 18, 2011

2. Wide view of the Langston High School Marker

Langston High School (1925) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 18, 2011

3. Langston High School (1925)

Today the building serves as the Johnson City Schools' Maintenance Department facility.

<i>Prof. John Langston, Howard University</i> image. Click for full size.

Image Courtesy of the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, circa 1870

4. Prof. John Langston, Howard University

Langston's early career was based in Ohio where, with his brother Charles, he began his lifelong work for African-American freedom, education, equal rights and suffrage. In 1855 he was one of the first African-American people in the United States elected to public office when elected as a town clerk in Ohio. He was the younger brother of Charles Henry Langston, a fellow abolitionist; John was a great-uncle of the renowned poet Langston Hughes.... - Wikipedia

Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,273 times since then and 194 times this year. Last updated on May 7, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. It was the Marker of the Week February 22, 2026. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 16, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 4. submitted on May 7, 2015. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.