Lincoln School, building in Rock Island, Illinois
Lincoln School is a school building in East St. Louis built in 1886 using Romanesque Revival style and originally served Black students in the area. The structure features thick walls, rounded arches over windows and doors, and detailed stonework throughout its design.
The school was built in 1886 following John Robinson's 1881 protest that demanded better schools for Black children in the district. It survived the 1917 race riots and later served as a junior high school and administrative offices before being vacated in the 1970s.
Lincoln School is named after Abraham Lincoln and symbolizes the Black community's struggle for education and equal rights. The building carries the memory of John Robinson's 1881 efforts to secure fair schools and resources for Black students.
The school is located in East St. Louis and accessible by car and bus. Entry is from street level and the building features large windows and wide hallways that allow easy movement through the space.
The building was used by activists including John Robinson to demand change in school education, making it a symbol of resistance against injustice. This protest history is less recognized than the structure's architectural importance.
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