Lakin Industrial School
The Lakin Industrial School for Colored Boys, north of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, was founded by three African-American state legislators that created several state-funded reform institutions for blacks between 1919 and 1921. The school closed in 1956, only two years after the Brown versus Board of Education of Topeka, and was demolished in late 2006 after decades of abandonment.
History
The Lakin Industrial School for Colored Boys was founded by T.G. Nutter, Harry Capehart and T.J. Coleman, three African-American legislators that created several state-funded reform institutions for blacks between 1919 and 1921.(1)(2) Several structures were constructed west of Wet Virginia route 62 in rural Mason County, north of Point Pleasant and adjacent to the Lakin State Hospital complex. The primary school building, a three-story brick structure, was built in 1924 out of fireproof materials; it was the first building to be erected.(1) A gymnasium was added in the 1940s, along with several smaller buildings.
The Lakin Industrial School closed in 1956, only two years after the Brown versus Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas decision that led to the gradual desegregation of many public schools and colleges in West Virginia. Those who remained before its closure were transfered to the Industrial School at Pruntytown.(1) The buildings were later owned by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services, the same owners of Lakin State Hospital across the state highway that divides the two. The school property was then deeded over to the West Virginia Department of Agriculture in 1976.(1)
An arson-attempt in 2000 did very little damage to the main building, a testament to the brute strength of the building even after 50 years of abandonment.(1)
In November 2006, Lakin Industrial School for Colored Boys was demolished.(1) The property is expected to become part of American Electric Power’s River Operations.
Gallery
Gymnasium
Mechanics Garage
Other
Postal Structure
School
Links
- Article with photograph
- Lakin Industrial Home for Colored Boys at Grave Addiction
Sources
- Sergent, Beth. “Tumbling into history.” 18 Nov. 2006, Point Pleasant Register. 25 Nov. 2006 Article.
- Shawkey, Moris Purdy. “West Virginia In History, Life, Literature and Industry.” 1928.
No comments yet.