Cherokee High School

Cherokee High School

Colbert County, Alabama; Cherokee, Alabama; Rosenwald school; African American History

Cherokee High School was one of seven Rosenwald School built for African Americans in Colbert County. The Julius Rosenwald Grant provided the funds for the building. The local African American community provided the remaining funds and land for the school. Around $2,900 came directly from the community. The grant from the Rosenwald’s was only worth only $800. Residents in the community were also able to raise around $900 through various donations and fundraisers. The first class graduated in 1938 and the last class graduated in 1969. The school was closed down after 1969 due to integration. The location of the school can be found on 4595 Old Lee Hwy

Sam Keiser, University of North Alabama

Curott, David. Colbert & Lauderdale County History Written on Signs of the Past. Bluewater Publishing, 2011. 17

Alabama Cultural Resource Survey

November 30, 2015