Temple High School (Mississippi)
| Rosa A. Temple High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
United States | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1959 |
| Closed | 1971 |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Mascot | Buccaneers |
Rosa A. Temple High School was a high school in Vicksburg, Mississippi for black students. The school operated from 1959 until its closure in 1971 in the wake of desegregation of public schools. Its teams won state championships in football and baseball. Vicksburg High School was whites only. Temple High School became Vicksburg Junior High School. It is at 1533 Rosa Temple Drive.[1]
History
[edit]In 1923 Magnolia School opened. It succeeded an earlier school for black students on Cherry Street. It became Bowman High School[2] in 1944, when it was renamed for J. G. H. Bowman, its principal from 1906 to 1944. A historical marker commemorates the school's history.[3]
Rosa A. Temple High School was established in 1959 to replace J. G. H. Bowman High School. It was named in honor of Rosa A. Temple, a respected educator in the community.
O. W. Sanders served as the first principal, followed by J. E. Stirgus.[4] In 1971, the school closed as part of the broader desegregation efforts mandated across the United States. Its legacy is preserved through a mural and commemorative plaque in Vicksburg. Baldwin Ferry Road was renamed for Rosa A. Temple as Rosa A. Temple Drive.[5]
Teachers at the school included Elliot Coleman, TJ Watson, Frank Crump Jr., and Barbara Francis Banks, with Lewis W. "Jiving" Jones as the band director. The school used a buccaneer as their mascot.[6][7]
Athletics
[edit]The Temple High School football team won three consecutive Big 8 football championships under the leadership of head coach Houston Markham.[8]
In basketball, coach Levern McClelland helped lead the school to an undefeated 28–0 season in 1968, achieving consecutive state championships in 1967 and 1968.[9] Carl Jackson went on to become a prominent college basketball player[10] Marshall Sanders went on to play basketball for Harvard University[11][12]
Notable alumni
[edit]- Robert Major Walker – Vicksburg's first African American mayor[13]
References
[edit]- ^ https://www.vwsd.org/o/vjhs/page/location
- ^ Reports, Staff (May 24, 2008). "After 50 years, Bowman grads have held on to health, looks|[05/24/08]". The Vicksburg Post.
- ^ "Magnolia High School Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org.
- ^ "Rosa A. Temple". Riverfront Murals.
- ^ "Rosa A. Temple High School Historical Marker". HMDB.
- ^ O'Connor, Brandon (February 25, 2018). "Pride still shines through for grads of Rosa A. Temple High School". The Vicksburg Post.
- ^ Bowker, Ernest (July 31, 2020). "Greatest on the Gridiron: 1970 Temple, 1990 Vicksburg vie for title of greatest team ever". The Vicksburg Post.
- ^ Bowker, Ernest (August 28, 2018). "Hall of Fame Trio Powered Vicksburg Through a Decade of Football Success". The Vicksburg Post.
- ^ Phillips, Keith (November 26, 2020). "Former Rosa A. Temple Coach McClelland is the Last Coach with an Undefeated Basketball Season in Vicksburg". Vicksburg Daily News.
- ^ "Carl Jackson's Basketball Journey Left a Lasting Impression on Bonnies". St. Bonaventure Athletics. February 8, 2024.
- ^ "Marshall Sanders College Stats". Sports Reference.
- ^ "K. C. Jones is Expected to Help Harvard Polish Basketball Team". The New York Times. May 5, 1970.
- ^ O'Connor, Brandon (February 25, 2018). "Pride Still Shines Through for Grads of Rosa A. Temple High School". The Vicksburg Post.
- Public high schools in Mississippi
- Schools in Warren County, Mississippi
- Historically black schools
- Historically segregated African-American schools in Mississippi
- Education in Warren County, Mississippi
- Educational institutions established in 1959
- Educational institutions disestablished in 1971
- 1970s disestablishments in Mississippi
- Defunct black public schools in the United States that closed when schools were integrated