Oak Hill Elementary School exhibit now open at Stephens County History Museum

The Stephens County History Museum recognized the historic Oak Hill Elementary School on Thursday with a special dedication.

Stephens County History Museum Executive Director Brenda Carlin unveiled a plaque during the event at the Historic Train Depot.

She says the school was the first and last combined all African-American elementary school in Stephens County before integration. The school was in existence from 1955 until 1967.

“Back in the ’50’s there were a lot of new schools built in the area,” she said. “At that time there were a lot of African-American schools in the County. So the County came together and decided to build Oak Hill in order to have a more central location (for black schools).”

The school was located off of Whispering Pines Road in Avalon.

Carlin says that for the past year, the Oak Hill Alumni Association has been working to get the school’s history included in the museum.

“The committee has been working together to compile information. Unfortunately, they were not able to find many photos of the school itself. However, they wanted an exhibit here in the museum, which we wanted and we have a place for it,” Carlin said.

Toccoa Falls College History Professor Dr. David Jalovick spoke during the unveiling.

He says that there isn’t much information about Oak Hill Elementary.

Carlin encourages anyone who has photos of the school to bring them to the museum.

The Oak Hill Elementary School exhibit at the Stephens County History Museum is now open.

For additional information contact Carlin at 706-282-5055.