South Boston in Halifax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Washington-Coleman Elementary School
South Boston, Virginia
— Halifax County —
Determined to provide elementary education for young African Americans, the Rev. Parham B. Ragland started a school in his backyard some time around 1875. Though the "Backyard School" was private, Rev. Ragland was able to garner financial support for his project from the town of South Boston, thus representing the first known public support of black education in Halifax County. The one-room school grew and led to the establishment of a public black grammar school in Bloodfield (also called Mayfield). The school was eventually named the M. H. Coleman Grammar School. Though it was damaged by fire in 1937, it was repaired, reopened and operated until 1948, at which time it was moved to the former Booker T. Washington High School building.
Booker T. Washington High School had been built for the black high school students who had been attending classes in unsatisfactory quarters above a store at 1811 North Main Street in South Boston. By 1932 funds raised by the black community were joined with those from the South Boston School Board to build this four-room school with library, multi-purpose rooms and a central office. Although the building was well equipped, it was a small school and limited in curriculum. In 1948 Washington High was merged with the Halifax Training School to provide a centralized black high school with an expanded curriculum. In 1969 Halifax high schools were integrated, and all black and white high school students went to the Centerville High School. The former all-black high school was then renamed Washington-Coleman Elementary School and still serves as an active part of Halifax's educational community.
Erected 2004 by Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail®. (Marker Number 34.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Education. In addition, it is included in the Civil Rights in Education Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 36° 42.695′ N, 78° 54.278′ W. Marker was in South Boston, Virginia, in Halifax County. Marker was on Jeffress Boulevard, 0.1 miles east of Penick Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 1927 Jeffress Boulevard, South Boston VA 24592, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Washington-Coleman Elementary School (a few steps from this marker); E.L. Evans House (approx. half a mile away); Mizpah Presbyterian Church (approx. one mile away); Campaign of 1781 (approx. 1.1 miles away); Retreat to the Dan (approx. 1.1 miles away); Crossing of the Dan (approx. 1.1 miles away); DAR Memorial Cannon (approx. 1.2 miles away); Refuge and Recovery in Halifax County (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in South Boston.
More about this marker. On the left panel are several photos with the captions:
"(Above) A one-room schoolhouse in Halifax County, early 1900's."
"(Left) Matthew Hale Coleman, teacher and first principal of the first publicly funded grammar school for black students in the City of South Boston."
(Bottom) Washington-Coleman Elementary School as it stands today."
On the right is a photo of "(Right) Booker T. Washington."
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Marker At This Location also titled "Washington-Coleman Elementary School".
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,561 times since then and 112 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 20, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.