Historic Crossroads Rosenwald School in Dixie seeks preservation

BROOKS COUNTY, GA – The Crossroads Rosenwald School, a one-story frame schoolhouse built in 1928, stands as a testament to the legacy of the Rosenwald Fund and the African American community’s pursuit of education in rural South Georgia.

The Rosenwald network of schools was started in the 1920s to provide state-of-the-art education for African Americans across the South.

A few more Rosenwald schools remain in Georgia, with locations in Americus, Smithville, Macon County, and the remodeled school in Twiggs County.

As you drive by this building a lot of people wonder, why won’t they tear it down, it looks like a dilapidated building; But it’s because of the rich history that you get when you step on the inside, you see the original hardwood floors that are almost 100 years old, the original windows of the building and then at the back, you have the original black boards that were once used to teach African Americans who were unable to get a fair and proper education.

“It represents a culture’s deep desire for education. Those schools did not just educate just children, but African American adults that also wanted an education.” says Executive Director of Thomasville Landmarks, Nancy Tinker.

Today the Georgia Trust Historic Preservation: Places in Peril Program selected the school in Brooks County for preservation.

“All too often, history is forgotten and without History the future isn’t as bright as it could be, and not just for this area, it’s a part of American History.” says Treasurer for the Crossroads Community Center, Gussie Hunter.

White authorities would send black children cast-off textbooks and equipment, offering little to no secondary grades for them to continue their education. But Rosenwald students fought through - in this 2-room building divided by a portion.

“The People that worked so hard for this building to get it for their children... and so when I come in, I look back and say yeah that’s history, that’s the love that the ones before us gave to us and that’s why it needs to be restored.” Hunter says.

Located at the crossroads of Hodges, Simmon Hill, and Dry Lake Roads in Brooks County, the school, built on land donated by Mrs. Nina Brown, closely follows the “Two-Teacher Community School” plan. Its T-shaped design includes two classrooms, an industrial arts room, and intact original features like wood sheathing, doors, and windows, though in need of repair. The school’s three-room interior, including blackboards, largely retains its historical integrity.

The only remaining structures on the property are the schoolhouse and the girls’ three-stall restroom; the boys’ outhouse is gone but could be reconstructed.

Situated near Highway 84, the Crossroads School is ideally positioned for educational tourism and offers a significant opportunity for preservation and the telling of an important chapter of American history.

“We have a 501c3 that we have written up detailing what we plan on doing, so it’s a matter of just people coming in and helping us to get this back so we can have a legacy here.” says President of The Crossroads Community Center, Leroy Hunter.

To donate to this historic building, you can contact Mr. and Mrs. Hunter at 229-305-1267.

Preservationists say within the upcoming months this historic building will be transformed into a Community Center that can carry on the legacy and also provide an opportunity for retired and former teachers to come back and teach the next generation.

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