Okolona College, Historic black college in Okolona, Mississippi.
Okolona College is a historically Black educational institution in Okolona, Mississippi, with four remaining campus buildings including Abbott Hall, McDougall Hall, the Vocational Agriculture Building, and T.D. Bratton Memorial Dormitory. Each structure served distinct functions in supporting the school's academic and skills-based programs.
Wallace A. Battle founded Okolona College in 1902 as an educational institution serving African American students, and the school operated until closing in 1965. The college developed on land that had been a Civil War battleground and received support through a major donation from Andrew Carnegie in 1907.
The college served as a center for the Black community in the area and provided instruction in practical trades like agriculture and music alongside academic subjects. This blend of work-focused and classroom learning shaped daily life on campus and made it a place where African American students gained skills for their futures.
The grounds are easy to explore on foot and the buildings are viewable from the outside, though interior access may be limited. It is wise to check ahead about current visiting conditions, since the site is a protected historic property.
Abbott Hall was constructed in 1929 as a brick building with seven bays and originally served as the administrative and classroom hub of the campus. This structure stands as one of the best-preserved examples of the era's architectural style on the grounds.
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