Vienna in Dooly County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Vienna High and Industrial School
A Georgia Equalization School
Photographed By Michael Rivera, November 3, 2018
1. Vienna High and Industrial School Marker
Inscription.
Vienna High and Industrial School. A Georgia Equalization School. Established in 1959, Vienna High and Industrial School was a consolidated school for African Americans during segregation. As part of Georgia's massive resistance to federally mandated school integration, politicians and school officials sought to address the blatant geographic and racial disparities in education by constructing hundreds of new (but still segregated) school across the state during the 1950s - 60s. Known as "equalization" schools, they were often among the fist modern buildings in rural areas and became centers of African-American community life. With forced integration in place statewide by 1970, many of these new schools were abandoned or repurposed with their students moving to the formerly all-white schools. Vienna was unusual in that it became the integrated Vienna High School with Dr. Napoleon Williams, the head of the former African-American school, as its principal. The school later served as Vienna Elementary until its closure in 2004.
Established in 1959, Vienna High and Industrial School was a consolidated school for African Americans during segregation. As part of Georgia's massive resistance to federally mandated school integration, politicians and school officials sought to address the blatant geographic and racial disparities in education by constructing hundreds of new (but still segregated) school across the state during the 1950s - 60s. Known as "equalization" schools, they were often among the fist modern buildings in rural areas and became centers of African-American community life. With forced integration in place statewide by 1970, many of these new schools were abandoned or repurposed with their students moving to the formerly all-white schools. Vienna was unusual in that it became the integrated Vienna High School with Dr. Napoleon Williams, the head of the former African-American school, as its principal. The school later served as Vienna Elementary until its closure in 2004.
Erected 2014 by Georgia Historical Society, City of Vienna, Vienna Historic Preservation Committee, Georgia Natural Resources Foundation. (Marker Number 46-1.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1959.
Location. 32°
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5.59′ N, 83° 46.968′ W. Marker is in Vienna, Georgia, in Dooly County. Marker is on Hawkinsville Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vienna GA 31092, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2018, by Michael Rivera of Valdosta, Georgia. This page has been viewed 265 times since then and 33 times this year. Photo1. submitted on December 7, 2018, by Michael Rivera of Valdosta, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
