Celebrating Black History Month, Page- Jackson High School 1942-1965

In 1938 an important historical event occurred when the first high school for Negroes in Jefferson County was begun. Mr. O.M. Steward was the principal at this time. When Mr. Steward became ill that year, Mr. E.M. Dandridge completed the larger part of the second half of the year. The high school program continued, and in 1942, funds were granted by the school board for additional classrooms, equipment, and other necessities.

In the same year, Littleton L. Page and Philip Jackson, two outstanding educators who had given so many years of dedicated service to the public schools, that the school board named the school “Page-Jackson High School.” These two men of vision and character had guided the school for 63 consecutive years and were considered the real founders of Page-Jackson High School.

Although Page-Jackson High School no longer exists, memories of it live on in the hearts of its many graduates. The school building still stands and is presently the headquarters for the Jefferson County Board of Education. In this building, a special room has been reserved, named the Page-Jackson Room. It houses the documents, records, and other memorabilia about this former school.

For more information on the history of Page-Jackson Schools visit:https://www.jcswv.org/