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.
Langston High School. 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.
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. Marker 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.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study the marker shown.
Photographed By Paul Crumlish, July 18, 2011
2. Wide view of the Langston High School Marker
Photographed By Paul Crumlish, July 18, 2011
3. Langston High School (1925)
Today the building serves as the Johnson City Schools' Maintenance Department facility.
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 June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,111 times since then and 68 times this year. Last updated on May 7, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 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.