In keeping with favorite black historical sites, let’s move over two streets from West
All Saints to Madison Street. Undoubtedly Lincoln Elementary “B” building, has earned a
special place in the memory of many as it served as the only institution of higher
learning for blacks within the city from around 1923-1962 when all schools were fully
integrated.
John W. Bruner was the first black to be hired as a professional employee by the western
shore counties of Maryland. He began as a vocational teacher and was later promoted to
Supervisor of all schools for colored children in Frederick County. He held the later
position for 30 years and through his urgency and foresight, was very instrumental in
partitioning for a building to be built in Frederick to further educate Negroes beyond
6th grade. Named “another Frederick High School”, a one-room building was renovated on
West All saints Street in 1920 for this purpose but by the second year it was obviously
very overcrowded. Professor Bruner along with several other well known blacks, once again
partitioned the school board to build a larger facility. A lot was purchased and a school
erected and upon opening in 1923 on Madison Street Lincoln High had a staff of four and
an enrollment of just fewer than 100.
Lincoln High quickly became more than a brick and stone building. It became an extended
family. What we learned in Sunday school and at home was nurtured there and reading,
writing, and arithmetic were added. Classrooms contained as many as 40 or 50 students
sometimes and there were no aides or special teachers. Teachers like Miss Hutchins, Miss
Thomas, Miss Browne, Miss Addison, Miss Berry, Miss Boyer, Mr. and Mrs. Delauter, Mrs.
Dykes, Mr. and Mrs. Henson, Mrs. Dredden, Mrs. Lee, Mr. Leakins, Mr. Barnes, Mr. Parker,
Mr. Robinson, Mr. Charity, Mr. Turner, Mr. Lee, Mr. Shockley, and Mr. Pitts among many
others down through the years, labored tirelessly, underpaid, and most of the time using
hand –me-down outdated materials, but still giving their all to see that black students
received the best education that they could possibly give. They viewed all children as
having worth and encouraged us to be the best we could be.
In 1939, the black elementary schools on West 7th St. and South Bentz St. were
consolidated and the students transferred to Lincoln High. At this time the name was
changed to Lincoln School. Before 1946 black students only received 11 years of education
but during that year the 12th grade was added.
Lincoln School had many diversified clubs and athletic teams. Also activities, festivals,
assemblies and pageants were plentiful. The Academic curriculum was in place during the
early years but by the time of the 3rd and last principal, the highest diploma offered
was for a General degree.
The building itself has gone through many renovations over the years as it was even
renamed South Frederick Elementary for a time but to the multitude of black students who
passed through those halls way back when, Lincoln School will always share a special part
of our memory and indeed our heart.
Joy
joy@blackfrederick.com
All Saints to Madison Street. Undoubtedly Lincoln Elementary “B” building, has earned a
special place in the memory of many as it served as the only institution of higher
learning for blacks within the city from around 1923-1962 when all schools were fully
integrated.
John W. Bruner was the first black to be hired as a professional employee by the western
shore counties of Maryland. He began as a vocational teacher and was later promoted to
Supervisor of all schools for colored children in Frederick County. He held the later
position for 30 years and through his urgency and foresight, was very instrumental in
partitioning for a building to be built in Frederick to further educate Negroes beyond
6th grade. Named “another Frederick High School”, a one-room building was renovated on
West All saints Street in 1920 for this purpose but by the second year it was obviously
very overcrowded. Professor Bruner along with several other well known blacks, once again
partitioned the school board to build a larger facility. A lot was purchased and a school
erected and upon opening in 1923 on Madison Street Lincoln High had a staff of four and
an enrollment of just fewer than 100.
Lincoln High quickly became more than a brick and stone building. It became an extended
family. What we learned in Sunday school and at home was nurtured there and reading,
writing, and arithmetic were added. Classrooms contained as many as 40 or 50 students
sometimes and there were no aides or special teachers. Teachers like Miss Hutchins, Miss
Thomas, Miss Browne, Miss Addison, Miss Berry, Miss Boyer, Mr. and Mrs. Delauter, Mrs.
Dykes, Mr. and Mrs. Henson, Mrs. Dredden, Mrs. Lee, Mr. Leakins, Mr. Barnes, Mr. Parker,
Mr. Robinson, Mr. Charity, Mr. Turner, Mr. Lee, Mr. Shockley, and Mr. Pitts among many
others down through the years, labored tirelessly, underpaid, and most of the time using
hand –me-down outdated materials, but still giving their all to see that black students
received the best education that they could possibly give. They viewed all children as
having worth and encouraged us to be the best we could be.
In 1939, the black elementary schools on West 7th St. and South Bentz St. were
consolidated and the students transferred to Lincoln High. At this time the name was
changed to Lincoln School. Before 1946 black students only received 11 years of education
but during that year the 12th grade was added.
Lincoln School had many diversified clubs and athletic teams. Also activities, festivals,
assemblies and pageants were plentiful. The Academic curriculum was in place during the
early years but by the time of the 3rd and last principal, the highest diploma offered
was for a General degree.
The building itself has gone through many renovations over the years as it was even
renamed South Frederick Elementary for a time but to the multitude of black students who
passed through those halls way back when, Lincoln School will always share a special part
of our memory and indeed our heart.
Joy
joy@blackfrederick.com
| BlackFrederick.com's Featured Article |
| www.BlackFrederick.com All rights reserved to BlackFrederick.com Copyright 2007 WebMistress |
Dear Old Faithful Lincoln
Contributed by Joy Onley
BlackFrederick.com History Cove Editor
Published June 8, 2008
Contributed by Joy Onley
BlackFrederick.com History Cove Editor
Published June 8, 2008
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