Royal Oak Township near Ferndale in Oakland County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Carver Elementary School

Photographed By Joel S., June 21, 2016

1. Carver Elementary School Marker

Inscription. During the early twentieth century, many African Americans migrated north to work in Detroit's automobile factories. Increased migration during World War II prompted Royal Oak Township's Clinton School District to split into two racially segregated districts. The new Carver School District and the George Washington Carver Elementary School, built in 1945, served black students. By 1960 the Carver District suffered a drop in tax revenue and could not support a high school. Because neighboring districts would not accept Carver's students, Governor G. Mennon Williams merged the Carver and Oak Park districts. The Carver school closed in 1982. Although much altered, the building is a reminder of "separate but equal" government policies that institutionalized segregation.

Erected 1996 by Michigan Historical Center, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number L1953.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.

Location. 42° 27.008′ N, 83° 9.931′ W. Marker is near Ferndale, Michigan, in Oakland County. It is in Royal Oak Township. Marker is at the intersection

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of Mendota Avenue and Cloverdale Avenue, on the left when traveling south on Mendota Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 21272 Mendota Avenue, Ferndale MI 48220, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Birwood Wall / Eight Mile-Wyoming Neighborhood (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ferndale Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); a different marker also named Ferndale Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); Ferndale World War I Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); Five and Dime (approx. 1.6 miles away); Pioneer & Merriman Apartments / Ferndale Fun Fact #2 / Ferndale History (approx. 1.7 miles away); Ferndale State Bank / Ferndale Fun Fact #1 / Ferndale History (approx. 1.7 miles away); In Memory of Vincent Chin (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ferndale.

Regarding Carver Elementary School. Carver Elementary School is now the Royal Oak Township Recreation Center.

Photographed By Joel S., June 21, 2016

2. Carver Elementary School Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 530 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 22, 2016, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.