RuralSWAlabama
☰ Navigation

RuralSWAlabama

Rural Southwest Alabama: Attractions

  • Region Map
  • Attractions
    • Endangered
    • Lost
    • All Attractions
    • Antebellum
    • Auburn Rural Studio
    • Black Heritage
    • Bird Watching
    • Civil War
    • Churches and Cemeteries
    • Historic & Scenic Bridges
    • Historic Jails
    • Historic Markers & Memorials
    • Historic Schools
    • Historic/Scenic Courthouses
    • Museums & Rural Art
    • Native American
    • Old Cahawba Park
    • Old Depots
    • Parks & Campgrounds
    • Selma Live Oak Cemetery
  • By County
    • Choctaw
    • Clarke
    • Conecuh
    • Dallas
    • Greene
    • Hale
    • Marengo
    • Monroe
    • Perry
    • Sumter
    • Washington
    • Wilcox
  • By Town
  • Open for Tours
  • More
    • About
    • Contact
    • Links
    • Videos
    • Search the site
You are here: Home › Historic Schools

    Old Demopolis Public School at Demopolis, AL (built 1913-1914, listed on the NRHP, now home of the Canebrake Players)

    Historic Schools | Demopolis in Marengo County  

    This is a two-story building with a full basement that was built in 1913-1914. It was designed by a leading Alabama architect of the period, Frank Lockwood.  He designed some of the most impressive and important buildings in the state. His designs incl …

    learn more

    Old Gainestown Schoolhouse at Gainestown, AL (built 1919, listed on the NRHP)

    Historic Schools | Gainestown in Clarke County  

    The Gainestown Schoolhouse is a good example of an early 20th-century, two room schoolhouse. Although it has undergone significant restoration, it still retains most of its original features such as its form, framing members, weatherboards, windows and …

    learn more

    Old Miller School in Marengo County at Miller, AL (built ca. 1900)

    Endangered, Historic Schools | Miller in Marengo County  

    This school was built around 1900 by Charles H. Miller, Sr. He employed the teachers to provide an education for his children and other children in the community. In 1929, the Marengo County Superintendent of Education consolidated the county schools. …

    learn more

    Old Thomasville High School at Thomasville, AL (built 1927-1928; listed on the NRHP)

    Historic Schools | Thomasville in Clarke County  

    This school was constructed in 1927-1928 by local contractor Ashland Spinks. The newly completed $50,000 building opened for white students on Monday, January 8, 1929. The following year, the wood frame elementary school burned down, so grade school cl …

    learn more

    OLD TOWN FRANKLIN at Franklin, AL (in Monroe County)

    Churches and Cemeteries, Historic Schools, Museums & Rural Art | Franklin in Monroe County  

    When traveling Highway 41 between Monroeville and Camden, you will pass a very picturesque scene at Franklin that includes several nicely restored buildings all neatly located within white picket fences. These buildings include the old Franklin School …

    learn more

    Orrville Male Academy Building at Orrville, AL (built ca. 1850; recorded in HABS)

    Antebellum, Historic Home, Historic Schools | Orrville in Dallas County  

    The Orrville Male Academy building, or Ben Ellis Dunaway House, was built around 1850 as a boys’ academy. The contractor was Willis H. Green. In 1880, the building was converted into a home by Benjamin F. Ellis who was a Confederate veteran and promine …

    learn more

    Prairie Mission near Miller’s Ferry, AL (1894-late 1960s, listed on the NRHP)

    Black Heritage, Churches and Cemeteries, Historic Markers & Memorials, Historic Schools | Prairie in Wilcox County  

    Prairie Mission, also known as Prairie Institute, was established in 1894 by the Freedmen’s Board of the United Presbyterian Church of North America, to educate children of ex-slaves.  The Mission consisted of a church, school building, dormitories for …

    learn more

    Silas Elementary School at Silas, AL (built 1936; added to ARLH in 2013 )

    Historic Schools | Silas in Choctaw County  

    This school building was built in 1936 and it provided educational opportunities for southern Choctaw County families until 2005. The Town of Silas purchased the school property in 2005 and the school building was restored. The restoration was a commun …

    learn more

    Snow Hill Normal and Industrial Institute located in Wilcox County

    Black Heritage, Historic Schools | Snow Hill in Wilcox County  

    This is a historic African-American school that was founded in 1893 by Dr. William J. Edwards, a graduate of Tuskegee University. The school opened as the Colored Literary and Industrial School in a one-room log cabin on the R. O. Simpson plantation.  …

    learn more

    The Beloit Industrial Institute at Beloit, AL (operated 1888-1923; listed on the Alabama Register)

    Black Heritage, Historic Markers & Memorials, Historic Schools | Beloit in Dallas County  

    The Beloit Industrial Institute, which operated from 1888 to 1923, was the first Christian school for African-Americans in Dallas County. It was located on Highway 22 in the community of Beloit, AL about 10 miles southwest of Selma. The Beloit Industri …

    learn more

    The Marion Female Seminary Building at Marion, AL (built ca. 1850; recorded in HABS and listed on the NRHP)

    Antebellum, Civil War, Historic Markers & Memorials, Historic Schools | Marion in Perry County  

    Founded in 1835, the Marion Female Seminary was one of the earliest colleges for women in the United States. It was the first of four colleges established in Marion. The present Marion Female Seminary building was erected in 1850. It contained the art …

    learn more

    Thomaston Colored Institute at Thomaston, AL (built 1910, listed on National Register)

    Black Heritage, Endangered, Historic Schools | Thomaston in Marengo County  

    The Thomaston Colored Institute, also known as the Thomaston Academy, is a historic African American school building in the town of Thomaston, AL. This two-story brick building was completed in May 1910 as a private school by an African American religi …

    learn more
← Previous 1 2 3 Next →

About This Website

Welcome to rural southwest Alabama. This website is dedicated to twelve counties located in rural southwest Alabama which includes a large portion of Alabama's Black Belt area. This region is known for its rich and diverse heritage, historic homes and churches, and natural beauty. This website contains details about historic and interesting places that you will find in this area of Alabama.

PLEASE NOTE THAT MOST OF THE HOMES INCLUDED ARE PRIVATE RESIDENCES AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ARE DRIVE BY ONLY.

We hope that you enjoy this website.

Be sure to like our Facebook page

Read More

Connect with us!

Dedicated to the memory of Stacy Milstead Henson (1978-2008) & Inez "Sis" Watts (1924-2007).

RuralSWAlabama © 2021. All Rights Reserved.