Mobile in Mobile County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Emerson Institute

By Mark Hilton, December 10, 2017

1. Emerson Institute Marker

Inscription. On this site stood Emerson Institute, Mobile's first school for the formal education of African-Americans and one of the few 19th-century normal schools for African-Americans in Alabama. Founded 1865 by the Freedmen's Bureau, the school was run by the American Missionary Association from 1866 until 1927 when it became a Mobile County public school. First located in the "Blue College" on Government Street, the school moved in 1877 here to 266 Scott Street after a disastrous fire. Many of its students had careers of local and national distinction. Emerson closed in 1970 and its buildings were demolished as part of the city's plan for urban renewal.

Erected 1995 by the Emerson Alumni Association and the Mobile Housing Board.

Location. 30° 40.98′ N, 88° 3.047′ W. Marker is in Mobile, Alabama, in Mobile County. Marker is on Palmetto Street east of South Bayou Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 759 Palmetto Street, Mobile AL 36603, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. James W. Roper (approx. 0.2 miles away); Big Zion African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Home of Joe Cain

Former location of the Emerson Institute. image. Click for full size.

By Mark Hilton, December 10, 2017

2. Former location of the Emerson Institute.

(approx. ¼ mile away); The Quigley House (approx. ¼ mile away); Old Church Street Cemetery - 1819 (approx. ¼ mile away); Home of Raphael Semmes (approx. ¼ mile away); The Bee Hive (approx. 0.3 miles away); Shaarai Shomayim (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mobile.

Categories. • African Americans • Education •

Emerson Institute Marker looking towards South Scott Street. image. Click for full size.

By Mark Hilton, December 10, 2017

3. Emerson Institute Marker looking towards South Scott Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 10, 2017. This page originally submitted on December 10, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 10, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.