Strasburg, VA
This boarded-up school closed in 1964. A new historical marker tells the
story.
Sunset Hill School
The Queen Street School, one of the first schools in Shenandoah County for African Americans, had opened in Strasburg by 1875. After a fire in 1929, a new school known as Sunset Hill was built here ca. 1930 to serve grades 1-7. Because the county had no high school for African American students, graduates had to go elsewhere to attend higher grades. African American residents petitioned for better facilities, and the school board considered building a new segregated elementary school as late as 1962, eight years after the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled the public school segregation was unconstitutional. Sunset Hill closed in 1964 when Shenandoah County schools were fully desegregated.
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Tuesday Treasures. An article about the recent dedication of the marker credits students at Signal Knob Middle School with having the idea for a landmark recognizing Sunset Hill School.
Good that the school is well preserved. I like the name "Sunset Hill". Have a wonderful day.
ReplyDelete...a reminder of the stained history of race in America that continues today! We should never forget. Thanks Linda for sharing, enjoy your Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteIt is a time in our country's past that we should never forget, the sign is a good reminder. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Take care, enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteGlad this bit of history has a sign to remind us.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day!
Glad to have the sign...now I wonder why the building is unused...a community center might be a good use...integrated of course!
ReplyDeleteThe laws have changed, but I fear that attitudes have not kept pace.
ReplyDeleteThe marker is well worth having.
ReplyDeleteHistoric Markers are very good at preserving our history. The old AA school here became part of the new city High School and located at the old Jackson High location. Jackson was closed when Schools integrated...and then when they decided to build a new high school they used the old jackson location...and kept some of the buildings.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this ...
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan