Oakland Normal School Explained

Oakland Normal School was a normal school in Oakland, Colorado County, Texas[1] for training African American teachers.[2] The school opened in 1882 and operated for over three decades. G. R. Townsend and then Robert Lloyd Smith served as the school's principals.[3]

Robert Lloyd Smith taught at the school before becoming principal.[4] He was active in seeking to improve the lives of the community's African Americans and formed an improvement society for farmers.[5] The section where they lived was known as Freedmantown.[1]

Smith travelled from Oakland to Hampton Institute to speak and discussions included establishing an agricultural college in Texas following the Tuskegee teaching model.[6]

A historical marker was erected for the school in 1990.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Washington, Booker T.. The Story of the Negro: The Rise of the Race from Slavery. November 23, 1909. Doubleday, Page. 9781105120381. Google Books.
  2. Book: Zelade, Richard. Lone Star Travel Guide to Central Texas. May 16, 2011. Taylor Trade Publications. 9781589796089. Google Books.
  3. Web site: Oakland Normal School. Texas Historical Markers.
  4. Web site: Smith, Robert Lloyd | Encyclopedia.com. www.encyclopedia.com.
  5. Web site: Progress of a Race, Or The Remarkable Advancement of the American Negro: From the Bondage of Slavery, Ignorance and Poverty to the Freedom of Citizenship, Intelligence, Affluence, Honor and Trust. Henry F.. Kletzing. William Henry. Crogman. November 23, 1898. J.L. Nichols. Google Books.
  6. Web site: The Southern Workman. 1902.
  7. Web site: Colorado County Historical Markers. www.coloradocountyhistory.org.

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