RuralSWAlabama

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

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 …

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

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 …

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

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. …

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

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 …

OLD TOWN FRANKLIN at Franklin, AL (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 …

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

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 …

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

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 …

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

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 …

Snow Hill Normal and Industrial Institute located 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.  …

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

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 …

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

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 …

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

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 …