| The Okolona College complex (originally Okolona Normal and Industrial School) is locally significant for its role in Education and African-American history Founded in 1902, the school played a vital role in the education and vocational training of African Americans in the northeast region of Mississippi during the twentieth century prior to the integration of the state's educational facilities. In 1920 it became affiliated with the American Church Institute for Negroes – an agency of the Protestant Episcopal Church that operated nine educational institutions for African Americans in the south at that time. Okolona College served as a four-year high school and two-year junior college. At its height, Okolona College educated more than three-hundred day and boarding students each year. The curriculum provided training to high school age students since there was no African-American high school in the area until 1959 . A survey in 1964 indicated that Okolona College had provided education to 85% of African-American teachers in the tri-county area of Chickasaw, Calhoun, and Monroe Counties. Okolona College closed in 1965. The campus and buildings were purchased by the Local Sections, National Council of Negro Women, State of Mississippi, Inc. in 1986. The Okolona College Historic District was placed on the National Register on 9 August 2002. The historic complex was designated a Mississippi Landmark on 10 October 2002. |
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